Ferries (Hansard, 21 January 1993)

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the incident threatening the safety of the Stena Sealink ferry Hibernia on the night of 16–17 January.

§ Mr. Norris
The incident is the subject of an investigation by the Department's marine accident investigation branch. The inspector appointed to carry out the investigation will in due course submit a report to the the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which ferries currently in service and operating from British ports are comparable in design or class to the Jan Heweliusz.

§ Mr. Norris
There is one ferry operating to British ports that can carry rail freight in a similar manner to the Jan Heweliusz. This is the French-registered ferry Nord Pas cle Calais.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances and under what powers the Irish or British authorities can intervene to prevent the sailing of ferries between Ireland and the United Kingdorn because of hazardous conditions.

§ Mr. Norris
Unless a vessel has weather restrictions placed on its operation, my Department has no powers to prevent the sailing of ferries because of hazardous weather conditions. The decision to sail is ultimately that of the ship's master.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which ferries currently in service and operating from British ports are comparable in design or class to the Stena Hibernia.

§ Mr. Norris
The Stena Hibernia is typical of the type of ro-ro passenger ferry in service between United Kingdom ports, continental Europe and Ireland, although the design will differ in detail.