HC Deb 14 December 1993 vol 234 cc578-9W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what resources are currently available for port state control inspection in Shetland;

(2) what resources were available in Shetland for ship inspection for port state control up until 22 November;

(3) what extra resources he intends to make available for futher port state control inspections of Klondyker ships (a) off Shetland, (b) off Ullapool and (c) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

The inspection resources of the east of Scotland district in which Shetland lies are available as necessary for port state control inspection in Scotland. Resources from other districts are also available as necessary. In addition to the one surveyor permanently based in Shetland, three surveyors are currently carrying out inspections in Shetland.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has given to Shetland Islands council's request for financial support for(a) radar surveillance, (b) aerial surveillance and (c) salvage provision around the coast of Shetland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

I will send the hon. Member a copy of the correspondence.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all short-term measures taken by his department since the sinking of the Braer to improve safety of shipping around the coast of Shetland.

Mr. Norris

Measures, which applied more widely than in the Shetland islands, were implemented quickly and will remain in operation. A voluntary code produced by the United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping after consultation with industry and others set out specific navigational recommendations for the routeing of ships around the United Kingdom coast.

In addition, the Department made specific proposals to the International Maritime Organisation which entered into force on 28 November. The measures, summarised as follows, now apply to vessels of all flags:

  1. (a) for vessels over 5,000 gross tonnes carrying oil or other hazardous cargoes in bulk:
    1. (i) amended "areas to be avoided" to the north south, and west of the Shetland Islands;
    2. (ii) new "areas to be avoided" off the Orkney Islands and around Fair Isle;
  2. (b) "precautionary areas" in the northern and south-eastern approaches to Yell Sound, and in the approaches to Lerwick;
  3. (c) recommendations on navigation for laden tankers in the Pentland Firth;
  4. (d) recommendations to report to the coastguard for all laden vessels in the Pentland Firth, and off Fair Isle.

Recommended routes will be introduced for the Fair Isle channel subject to the successful completion in 1994 of further hydrographic surveys at an estimated cost of around £2 million.

Name Date Location Action
Stasys Girenas 22 January 1993 In port Master instructed to rectify deficiencies found
Alderbaran 25 May 1993 In port Master instructed to rectify deficiencies found
Birsk 1 June 1993 In port Master instructed to rectify deficiencies found
Chernomorskaya Slava 12 July 1993 In port Master instructed to rectify deficiencies found
Pomor 29 July 1993 In port Master instructed to rectify deficiencies and flag state consulted
Chernomorskaya Slava 3 August 1993 In port Detained during fire on board
Akvamarin 6 August 1993 In port Detained
Kandalasksha 31 August 1993 In port Flag state informed of deficiencies following grounding
Kandalasksha 4 October 1993 In port Detained in drydock for repair