§ Mr. Rees-Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement regarding the grounding of the tanker "Panther" on the Goodwin Sands, and detail the measures the Government had in readiness to prevent pollution and what steps are now to be taken to protect amenities to the coast line.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Liberian-registered tanker "Panther", loaded with some 25,000 tons of crude oil, grounded on the South Goodwin Sands, outside United Kingdom territorial waters, on 30th March. Early efforts to refloat the ship were unsuccessful but after being lightened of some of her cargo she was refloated on 4th April and has since proceeded to the Netherlands.
Immediately upon hearing of the grounding, the Department activated its standing arrangements for dealing with any oil pollution which might result. Vessels equipped for spraying operations were in position at Dover by the following day and they went into operation as soon as significant quantities of oil were observed on the sea, which was on 2nd April.
Some oil, which has not yet been identified as coming from the "Panther", contaminated beaches during the incident and was cleared up by local authorities, which also took action to disperse oil floating close inshore.
We are continually reviewing our contingency planning so as to make improvement in the light of any incident. One immediate step which I am taking is to seek powers in the Oil in Navigable 274W Waters Bill to put beyond doubt our right to take action when, as a result of an accident, oil pollution of our coasts is threatened by a foreign ship lying outside our territorial waters.
§ Mr. Rees-Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement regarding the salvage operation of the tanker "Panther" grounded upon the Goodwin Sands and, in particular, by what authority Her Majesty's Government intervenes in international waters when disagreements arise between salvage operators.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe German tug "Danzig" was first on the scene of the casualty and, in accordance with longstanding maritime practice, took charge of the salvage operations. During the early stages of the operation, the "Danzig" refused to accept assistance from some of the other tugs which were present, but the disagreements were eventually resolved. The Government throughout pressed the owners strongly to have the tanker lightened as quickly as possible. We are seeking power, by an Amendment to the Oil in Navigable Waters Bill, to extend to foreign ships on the high seas the powers provided in the Bill to give directions as to the salvage of a ship or to take direct action, as respects the ship and its cargo, for preventing or reducing oil pollution.