HC Deb 24 January 1995 vol 253 cc93-4W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps were taken by his Department to ensure that the crew and officers on the vessels Brodispas Moon and Sun chartered by his Department were proficient in the English language.

Mr. Norris

The emergency towing study team from the Coastguard agency visited and assessed tugs from each of the shortlisted companies prior to the award of the contract. During those visits, discussions were conducted with the vessels' officers and crews and their proficiency in the English language was assessed. Both tugs have British liaison masters.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what actions he took to secure British crewing of the salvage tug vessels charted by his Department prior to his decision to award the contract to Croation crews; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

Tenders for the contract were invited from a wide range of salvage and towing companies against a tight specification. In accordance with Government policy, no limitation was placed on flag or crew nationality as such, subject to vessels meeting international safety requirements. Only two of the 34 vessels offered by tenderers for this contract were both UK crewed and registered. The contract was awarded on the basis of performance against the specification and value for money, to a company with good salvage back-up facilities. The selected tugs are managed in the UK by a UK company and have been employed in the North sea working for major oil companies for the last three years.

Mr. Charles Kenndey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement outlining the circumstances which led to the coastguard tug, Brodospas, being stationed at Stornoway, with specific reference to its(a) sailing under a flag of convenience, (b) being registered in St. Vincent, West Indies and (c) carrying a Croatian crew; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

[holding answer 17 January 1995]: The Brodospas Sun is one of the two tugs currently under contract to the Coastguard agency and which are stationed at Stornoway and Dover for a trial period this winter. This meets Lord Donaldson's recommendation that there should be interim emergency towing arrangements this winter: the inquiry recommended that priority should be given to the Dover strait and north-west Scotland. Tenders were invited from a wide range of salvage and towing companies against a tight specification. In accordance with Government policy, no restriction was placed on flag or crew nationality as such, though the vessels proposed were expected to meet international safety requirements such as the safety of life at sea convention. The contract was awarded on the basis of performance against specification and value for money.