§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what occasions oil companies operating in Milford Haven or the harbour authority have suggested to his Department that aspects of the Sullom Voe system should be introduced at Milford Haven; and what was his response; [18578]
(2) if the Milford Haven port control staff are under standing instructions to monitor the harbour radar displays at all times during arrival and departure of tankers; [18583]
(3) if the port of Milford Haven has (a) permanent boom anchoring sites, (b) boom storage buildings and(c) boom layering boats; [18579]
(4) if the Milford Haven harbour radar is fitted with computer-tracking software and audible-visible alarms to warn port controllers when a ship deviates from the intended course; [18582]
(5) what is the reliability record of the Milford Haven harbour radar; and when it was last (a) overhauled, (b) upgraded and (c) replaced; [18586]
(6) if the Milford Haven harbour radar was working at the time of the grounding of the Sea Empress; [18599]
(7) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Milford Haven port safety requirements relative to those published in the Sullom Voe port handbook; [18600]
608W(8) if the Milford Haven harbour authority requires masters of incoming vessels to complete and sign a check-list of safety precautions certifying that their vessel meets all the port safety requirements; [18589]
(9) what is the specified maximum time allowed for tugs to reach a tanker in difficulties in (a) the approaches and (b) the entrance to Milford Haven harbour. [18577]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 13 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Milford Haven.
PQ 1311/95/96
I am not aware that any such suggestions have ever been received.
PQ 1310/95/96
No. The purpose of the radar system is to provide information rather than to enable direct control of vessels.
PQ 1293/95/96
The Port of Milford Haven has a number of permanent boom anchoring sites and two boon storage buildings. There are a number of boom laying boats within the Haven.
PQ 1292/95/96
Yes.
PQ 1289/95/96
The provision, operation and maintenance of the radar system is a matter for the Milford Haven Port Authority. They inform me that detailed reliability records are not readily available.
The radar is in effect continuously overhauled under a maintenance regime carried out by an electronics engineer permanently employed by the port authority, supported by the manufacturers.
In 1991 the whole system was fully examined and some of the data processing and display equipment was upgraded.
The system accepted by the authority from the manufacturers in 1986 is still in place.
PQ 1308/95/96
The radar at the signal station was working, but the St. Ann's Head radar station was not.
PQ 1300/95/96
Milford Haven Port Authority requires the masters of vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods to complete the check list set out in Schedule 2 to Merchant Shipping Notice No. M1630 in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Reporting Requirements for Ships Carrying Dangerous or Polluting Goods) Regulations 1995 and provide that checklist to the pilot and the Port Authority.
PQ 1299/95/96
None, so far as I am aware. Our assessment of port oil pollution plans is made in relation to the National Contingency Plan.
PQ 1297/95/96
There is no specified maximum time. Three tugs are available on immediate notice at all times within the harbour. The estimated time for them to reach the entrance to the harbour is 30 minutes. The time taken to reach a vessel beyond the entrance would be greater. depending on its position. When a tanker is approaching the harbour three tugs (four for a large tanker) are ready to meet her at the bend in the channel, where they are within 15 minutes of the entrance.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how regularly liaison takes place between the Milford Haven harbour authority and oil terminal operators. [18590]
609W
§ Mr. NorrisI understand that the Milford Haven Harbour Authority has daily contact with oil terminal operators.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many harbour tugs and of what specification were waiting at the entrance of Milford Haven to render immediate assistance in the event of vessels being in difficulties at the time of the Sea Empress disaster. [18580]
§ Mr. NorrisOn the night of 15 February, four harbour tugs, each with a 45 tonne bollard pull, were on station within the Haven.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Milford Haven harbour authority(a) keeps records and (b) publishes details of all pollution incidents. [18588]
§ Mr. NorrisI understand that the Milford Haven Harbour Authority does keep records of pollution incidents, which are made available to the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea on an annual basis for publication, as part of its report to the marine pollution control unit. The authority must also report individual pollution incidents to the marine pollution control unit.