§ Mr. Harrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the circumstances surrounding the loss of the fishing vessel Dawn Waters off the Isle of Man on 20 March; if he will institute a public inquiry into the causes of the loss; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Dawn Waters was a fishing vessel registered in Jersey. She had been operating out of Fleetwood and reports suggest she was carrying a crew of five persons. The vessel was discovered at 9.18 am 11 miles east of Clay Head in the Isle of Man, almost completely submerged. Two life rafts from the vessel were found nearby but they contained no survivors. One body in a lifejacket was recovered. After an exhaustive search of the area by helicopters, lifeboats and other vessels nothing more was found. The search was terminated at 2.30 pm on 20 March. The weather at the time was severe.
The authorities in Jersey have requested my Department to undertake an investigation into the cause of this loss, to which I have agreed. A decision on whether a public inquiry is warranted will be made following consideration of the inspector's report.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives in the tragic loss of this vessel.