§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the HSS—high-speed ship—Stena vessel that is due to operate from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire has been subjected to a safety case assessment; and if he will make a statement. [25392]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 19 April 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the High Speed Ship (HSS) Stena vessel which is operating from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire.STENA EXPLORER has been build to the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft and Stena Line have carried out their own safety case assessment. Proper testing of the vessel's design has been undertaken and her performance has been assessed during sea trials.634WThe Marine Safety Agency (MSA) has been closely involved in approving the special equipment and operational requirements of this revolutionary craft in the United Kingdom's capacity as port State and, more recently, in the role of flag State. The vessel has been surveyed to ensure compliance with the Code and has been issued with a Permit to Operate and other certification necessary for this vessel to operate a passenger service from a UK port.