HC Deb 03 December 1975 vol 901 cc675-6W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the shipping accident in the English Channel which resulted in the sinking of a Russian vessel.

Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that the wreck of "The Gorizont" does not become a hazard to shipping in the Channel.

Mr. Shore

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1st December 1975; Vol. 901, c. 416], gave the following information:

At 19.17 on 25th November an SOS message in Russian was received by radio. Subsequent inquiries established that the Russian factory trawler ship "Gorizont" and the Moroccan freighter "Ifni" had collided in a position 22 miles south of St. Catherine's Light, Isle of Wight, in about 38 fathoms of water, that there had been no loss of life and that assistance was not required. The Hydrographer of the Navy was informed and warnings to mariners broadcast. The "Gorizont" had partially sunk, but her bows were still visible. Naval vessels have been in attendance to illuminate the scene and take any necessary warning off action. Trinity House has laid wreck buoys and one of their vessels has been standing by the wreck.

Although neither vessel involved was a tanker, the anti-pollution tug "Culver" was prepared and despatched from Southampton in the early hours of the morning as a precautionary measure and was off the Needles at first light. Its investigations on the scene during the morning established that there was only a light film of fuel oil which did not require spraying. The "Culver" was subsequently recalled, but a close watch is being kept on this as on other aspects of the collision.

We have been in touch with the Russian Embassy about the risk to navigation in the Channel and we understand that their Government have been urgently considering the question of salvage. However, the latest report received yesterday morning is that following exceptionally heavy seas the bows of the vessel are no longer visible. Naval aircraft and surface vessels are carrying out a reconnaissance in order to determine its position.