§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what inquiry will be undertaken by his Department into the events which led to the Bow Trader colliding with two bridges on the Thames on the night of 31 January;
(2) if he will ask Mr. John Hayes, the head of the independent inquiry into river safety, to consider the collision of Friday 31 January of the Bow Trader into two bridges on the River Thames.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Department's Marine Accident Investigation Branch is involved with the Port of London Authority in an investigation into the incident. The MAIB will provide Mr. John Hayes with early advice on the initial findings of the investigation.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the minimum manning level for a dredger such as the Bow Trader, operating on the River Thames at night.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe minimum manning level of United Kingdom-registered ships is assessed on an individual basis. In the case of the Bow Trader the minimum number of crew would be eight. The composition of the watch when operating on the River Thames at night should not be less than one qualified officer on the bridge, a helmsman, a lookout and an engineer.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the level of manning on the Bow218W Trader on the night of 31 January; whether lookouts were maintained in compliance with his Department's standards; and if they were equipped with two way radios.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThese matters will be addressed during the investigation.