§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the results of the evacuation trials conducted by the HSA on new high-speed catamaran passenger craft; and if he will make a statement. [24920]
§ 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. Paul Flynn, dated 18 May 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about evacuation trials on new high-speed catamaran passenger craft.There are no plans to publish the results of the evacuation trials conducted by the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) on high-speed catamaran passenger craft. The MSA is, however, fully satisfied that the craft currently operating from United Kingdom ports can meet the required evacuation time for this type of vessel.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he gave to the evacuations from the Achille Lauro and the Lakonia when postulating evacuation times for ferries using United Kingdom ports; and if he will make a statement. [24922]
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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. Paul Flynn, dated 18 May 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about evacuation times for roll-on roll-off ferries with regard to the cases of the "Achille Lauro" and the "Lakonia".Responsibility for the investigation of casualties to ships lies with the flag state; neither the "Achille Lauro" nor the "Lakonia" were registered with the United Kingdom. The flag state may thus determine what changes are required to the regulations of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and, put forward proposals for discussion within the International Maritime Organization. Any changes agreed, including for example evacuation times, would be implemented by the United Kingdom and other Administrations signatory to the SOLAS Convention.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons he has not yet accepted the Marine Safety Committee document 65/4, "RoRo Ferry Safety". [24822]
§ Mr. NorrisThe Secretary of State has already broadly welcomed the recommendations of the panel of experts, now issued as Maritime Safety Committee document 65/4, in his oral statement to the House on 5 April 1995,Official Report, column 1753. The Government will continue to press for the adoption of measures to enhance ferry safety recommended by the panel.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the review of the financial implications of Marine Safety Committee document 65/4, "RoRo Ferry Safety", to be completed and published. [24823]
§ Mr. NorrisThe Secretary of State for Transport, in his oral statement to the House on 5 April 1995,Official Report, column 1753, emphasised that any new measures proposed as a result of the recommendation made by the International Maritime Organisation's panel of experts would be subject to a full analysis of the potential costs and benefits. The Marine Safety Agency is currently investigating the costs of implementing various possible new requirements for ro-ro ferries. This information should be available in time for the negotiations on ferry safety at the International Maritime Organisation in November.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary or State for Transport how much time is allocated to muster passengers from 10 decks to lifeboat points in the standard 30-minute evacuation of 2,000 people from roll-on-roll-off ferries. [24919]
§ 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. Paul Flynn, dated 18 May 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about allocation of the 30 minute evacuation time for roll-on roll-off ferries.No specific period is allocated for the muster of passengers. The muster of passengers will commence when the general alarm signal is given whereas the 30 minute evacuation period begins with the abandon ship signal which may be given sometime later.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has sought or received views from the Royal Institute of Naval Architects on the estimated costs and timescale of introducing the recommendation in Marine Safety Committee document 65/4,"RoRo Ferry Safety". [24821]
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§ Mr. NorrisThe Government are aware of the views of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects on the issue of ferry stability, in particular its views submitted to the International Maritime Organisation's panel of experts.
The Government will continue to press for the adoption of recommendations on roll-on roll-off ferry safety made by the International Maritime Organisation's panel of experts on ferry safety. We need to take matters forward on the basis of the panel's recommendations, including a full analysis of the costs and benefits of implementing new measures.