§ Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to warn off foreign trawler fleets from the British Petroleum gas pipeline that is adrift on the seabed of the North Sea.
§ Mr. KirkI understand that no gas pipeline is adrift on the seabed of the North Sea.
Clear warnings of the dangers of trawling near gas pipelines are issued by the Hydrographer of the Navy. British Admiralty Charts for the area mark the position of all oil and gas pipes and drilling rigs with the caution.
gas pipelines contain flammable natural gas under high pressure. Any ship damaging the line would face an immediate fire hazard. Mariners are therefore strongly advised not to anchor or trawl in the vicinity of the line.In addition, a warning is published in Hydrographer's Annual Notice to Mariners which is available in foreign countries.