§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a mandatory operating scheme for vessels carrying bulk hazardous cargoes through the Pentlands Firth. [124685]
§ Mr. HillA mandatory reporting scheme is under consideration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Currently, a voluntary reporting scheme is being used by vessels, and MCA are also looking at methods to encourage vessels to further participate in this scheme.
Discussions at IMO are nearing a close concerning the carriage of transponders by vessels in the near future. This carriage requirement will automatically provide reporting and tracking information to the MC, which will be used in future operating schemes in the Pentland Firth.