HC Deb 09 December 1959 vol 615 cc521-4
The Minister of Transport (Mr. Ernest Marples)

With permission, Sir, I would like to make a statement about the loss of the Broughty Ferry lifeboat, "Mona".

About 2.45 a.m. on 8th December, the Broughty Ferry lifeboat was called out by the Fifeness coastguard, who had observed that the North Carr light vessel was off station and seemed to be drifting towards the shore. The weather at the time was severe, with a very heavy sea running. The lifeboat was launched at 3.15 a.m. and radio-telephone communication was established between her and the Fifeness Coastguard Station. Communication was maintained until 5 a.m., after which nothing further was heard from the lifeboat despite repeated calls by the Fifeness coastguard.

The Fifeness Coastguard Station then began a search of the beaches and asked for a helicopter search at daybreak. About 8.45 a.m. the Carnoustie coastguard observed something on the shore near Buddon Ness, on the north side of the Tay Estuary. He immediately advised the helicopter and thereupon took a search party to the spot. They found the lifeboat firmly aground and upright. Seven bodies were recovered, but the body of one member of the crew is missing. The lifeboat seems to have suffered only minor damage.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has begun an inquiry into the cause of this tragic accident, and I am sure that the House will wish me to express its deepest sympathy with the families of all the brave men who lost their lives.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

While thanking the Minister for his statement, may I join him in his expression of sympathy for the families which have suffered bereavement and his tribute to the gallantry of my constituents who went out and gave their lives to try to save the crew of the lightship?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the latest position is with regard to the lightship and its crew, and what steps he will take to assist the inquiry into the cause of the accident and to give any practical assistance to the families of those who lost their lives?

Mr. Marples

The lastest information I have about the North Carr lightship is that she broke away from her normal moorings and that she then apparently used her own anchors and is now riding at anchor about one mile from the shore, at Kingsbarns. I have just heard that all the crew were taken off by helicopter at 1.35 p.m. today.

The dependants will be paid pensions on the scale applicable to chief petty officers on Royal Navy active service. The pensions will be paid by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The normal procedure is that there is an inquiry by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, on the ground that lifeboats are a highly specialised type of craft. I think that we had better await the result of the Institution's inquiry. If the Institution asks me for any assistance, it will certainly be given.

Sir J. Henderson-Stewart

Is my right hon. Friend aware that not more than two hours ago I was informed from Fife that the lightship is, as he said, off the rocks at Kingbarns, that only one line is holding the vessel from being swept right on to the rocks and that the lives of eight men are at stake, and—

Hon. Members

The men have been taken off.

Sir J. Henderson-Stewart

I am very glad to hear that. I wonder whether my right hon. Friend can tell what is the latest position and what action is being taken.

Mr. Marples

A great deal of action has been taken. I should like to make it clear that the information which I have is that the whole of the crew were taken off by helicopter at 1.35 p.m., so the question of lives does not enter into it. What happened was that the lighthouse tender "Pharos" and the naval tug "Earner" went to assist the lightship. Unsuccessful attempts were made during yesterday afternoon and this morning to get a line on board the light vessel and these attempts were continued. The life-saving apparatus company from Craill was standing by on the foreshore all yesterday and remained there with its equipment loaded and ready. The crucial point is, however, that the men have been taken off by helicopter.

Mr. Strachey

As, the representative of the neighbouring constituency, I would associate myself with the deep sympathy which has been expressed towards those bereaved by this terrible accident, and I am sure that the whole House feels likewise.

May we be assured that, while no doubt it may be best to leave the inquiry to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, in this very grave case the result of the inquiry will be made public in due course, because this is, after all, something in which the national interest is deeply involved?

May we be told whether this lightship, as I believe is the case with some others, was without an engine and was herself, therefore, powerless in the circumstances, and whether, if that is so, this is not a matter of some concern?

Mr. Marples

The inquiry is a matter for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. I have no doubt that it will take notice of the right hon. Gentleman's words. I think that, generally, the Institution has published its reports when it has finished its inquiries. I think that we had better let it makes its report.

I believe that the North Carr lightship did not have an engine, but I should not like to be too certain about that.

Mr. G. R. Howard

As a member of the Committee of Management of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, I should like to associate myself with the expression of sympathy which has been so ably expressed by our President.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the District Inspector of Lifeboats was at Dundee yesterday afternoon, that the Deputy Chief Inspector of Lifeboats is there at this moment and that there is also present an official with full powers to pay out any moneys that may be necessary for the immediate needs of the dependants of those who lost their lives in this terrible disaster?

Mr. Marples

I think that the whole House would like to express its obligation and gratitude to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which has moved so quickly and so generously.

Mr. Benn

Without in any way disputing—indeed, we all accept it—the wonderful work that the Institution has done, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to tell us what his statutory responsibilities are in the event of a disaster of this kind and how he proposes to discharge them in co-operation with the Institution?

Mr. Marples

The statutory responsibility is that under the Merchant Shipping Acts I could, if I wanted to do so, hold a preliminary inquiry, but in view of the excellent work done with this specialised type of craft by the Institution, I think that it would be wrong for a Minister to take that action and that at this stage of the proceedings it should be left to the Institution.