§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken to check that the engine capacity registered for fishing vessels is accurate; whether torque meters are used to check reported capacity; and what checks are made with the engine manufacturers. [25386]
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§ Mr. NorrisThis is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 6 June 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the steps taken to check that the engine capacity of fishing vessels is recorded accurately. In view of the reference to torque meters I have assumed that the Question refers to engine power rather than capacity.Vessels to be placed on the United Kingdom Register are subject to survey by a Marine Safety Agency Surveyor, or a Surveyor of one of the Classification Societies acting on behalf of the MSA. He must ensure that the information being recorded accurately reflects that vessel, since the information will subsequently be forwarded to the Registry.The power of the engine is normally furnished by the shipbuilder who should be in possession of the engine test-bed specification as provided by the engine manufacturer. Where there are serious grounds for concern that the recorded details of engine power may no longer be accurate, then a further survey will be required to ascertain that the details are indeed correct.