§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the losses of the fishing vessels(a) Girl Fiona, (b) Inspire, (c) Alert II, (d) Boy Shaun, 236W (e) Sylvia Marita, (f) Jake II, (g) Tarradale II, (h) Pearl, (i) Mhari L and (j) South Stack which had Marine Accident Investigation Branch inquiries; which of these were published; which had any other inquiry and of what nature; and which of those were published.
§ Mr. McLoughlinAll the accidents occurred before July 1989, when the marine accident investigation branch was set up. Under the pre-existing system losses were investigated by the Department's surveyors, but there was no provision for making reports available for general release, unless the accident was subject to public inquiry. The loss of Boy Shaun, being an Irish vessel, will have been investigated by the Irish authorities. None of the incidents listed by the hon. Member led to such an inquiry. Summary reports of the surveyor's investigations into the losses of Mhari L and of Inspire were produced and the hon. Member will recall having being sent copies.
The deaths of those lost in the accidents were subject to inquest, fatal accident inquiry or to a death inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts. Reports of such proceedings are not published though the findings are made known to those concerned.
Since July 1989, specific provision has been made in the relevant regulations for the reports of investigations submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport to be published under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will instigate a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Wilhelmina J; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will instigate a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Ocean Hound; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinBoth accidents are the subject of investigation under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1989. Such investigations are very comprehensive and are the most expeditious means of establishing the nature and cause of a marine accident, and my right hon. and learned Friend is not minded to order full public inquiries.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about incidents involving(a) United Kingdom and (b) other fishing boats in United Kingdom waters and submarines in each of the years (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991 to date; what action he is currently considering to reduce such incidents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe fishing vessels reported to the Department as having been involved in incidents or suspected incidents in UK waters with submarines from 1 January 1989 to date are as listed, together with the reported date incident.
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Vessel Date of Incident New Dawn 3 January 1989 Lau Ann 22 January 1989 Spes Bona (and Arturus and Strathayre) 27 February 1989 Seagull 31 March 1989 Northern Lights 31 March 1989 Laurel 17 April 1989 Huntress 28 June 1989 Scotia 13 November 1989 Sarah Marie 7 December 1989 Moray Adventurer 4 October 1990
Vessel Date of Incident Antares 22 November 1990 Green Eagle 14 December 1990 Delvan 13 February 1991 Maritan 19 February 1991 Hercules II February 1991 Wavecrest, Alpha and Athena 6 March 1991 Swyn-Y-Mor 20 March 1991 Saffron 12 November 1991 All are UK vessels except the Laurel—Isle of Man—and the Sarah Mardie—Jersey.
A sub-group of the Department of Transport's fishing industry safety group—which will include representatives of the fishing industry, the Fisheries Departments and the Ministry of Defence—will meet on 9 December to discuss safety issues arising from the interaction of fishing vessels and submerged submarines. My Department is also giving urgent consideration to the recommendations contained in the determination of the fatal accident inquiry which followed the loss of the Antares with regard to the issue of fishing vessel safety certificates, the siting of liferafts on fishing vessels and arrangements for the carriage of emergency position indicating radio beacons and will consider the marine accident investigation branch's recommendations as soon as these are available.