§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the full terms of reference given to the marine accident investigation branch into the Sea Empress disaster. [20818]
§ Mr. NorrisIndividual marine accident investigation branch investigations do not have distinct terms of reference. The purpose of such investigations, as set out in regulations, is to determine the circumstances and causes of 723W accidents with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The regulations also provide that an investigation may extend to cover all events and circumstances preceding the accident which in the opinion of the inspector may have been relevant to its cause or outcome, and also to cover the consequences of the accident. I understand that the chief inspector intends that the Sea Empress investigation will be comprehensive and will cover, among other matters, the initial grounding, the availability of salvage tugs, the question of double hulls, the safety of port operations and the effects, if any, current salvage law may have had on the conduct of the salvage operation. Indeed, the inspector will consider all evidence and arguments submitted to him which have a bearing on the cause of the original grounding of the Sea Empress and the conduct of the salvage operation.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which recommendations were included in the interim findings of the marine accident investigation branch Sea Empress investigation. [20763]
§ Mr. NorrisNone.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the salvage tugs which were offered to those managing the Sea Empress salvage operation between Thursday 15 February and Wednesday 21 February and their individual maximum bollard pull; [20810]
(2) if he will list each type of dispersant and the quantity used in aerial spraying to disperse oil from the Sea Empress; [20762]
(3) if he will list the products and techniques for cleaning up oil spillages on the shore which his Department has evaluated and tested in the last five years; [20807]
(4) if he will list the tugs used on the attempts to salvage the Sea Empress; and who owned them; [20816]
(5) which specialised vessels suitable for collecting spilled oil from the surface of the sea were offered to the marine pollution control unit on or after 15 February to assist with the Sea Empress operation; and which vessels were chartered; [20812]
(6) if he will list those products and techniques for cleaning oil from the shore, the development of which has been financially supported by his Department in the last five years. [20806]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 14 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about oil spill clean up and salvage tugs in the Sea Empress incident.PQ 1460/95/96
The Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel at Stornoway, SMIT LLOYD SAFE, 125 tonnes, was offered to the salvors. In addition the salvors considered a number of other tugs. Which tugs these were, and whether they were offered or sought, is now a matter for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation to determine.PQ 1463/95/96
724WThe information is a s follows:
Tonnes Finasol OSR-51 212 Slickgone LTSW 97 Slickgone NS 53 Dispolene 34S 31 Corexit 9500 8 Enersperse 1583 13.5 Superdispersant 25 31 Demulsifier (Surdyne mixed with Shell LA) 8 PO's 1467 and 1474/95/96
The MPCU has in recent years commissioned a number of research projects examining different techniques for dealing with oil pollution on different shoreline types. Initially sandy shorelines were examined (1986) and the methods used at Tenby and Saundersfoot during the recent Sea Empress incident were based on the findings of this project. Later MPCU projects examined and reviewed clean-up techniques for shingle (1989), rocky shorelines (1992) and mudflats and saltmarshes (1993). Within these projects, a number of clean-up tools and products were evaluated and tested, including vehicles, beach-cleaning machines, beach washing plant and cleaning agents. Beach load-bearing characteristics were also evaluated.The results of much of this research have been disseminated to local authorities by way of MPCU residential training courses, MPCU Scientific, Technical and Operational Advice Notes (Stop Notices), and a technical manual entitled 'Oil Spill Clean-Up of the Coastline'.MPCU has also funded an evaluation study (1993) into the use of sorbent products as a tool for clean-up (final polishing of shingle/pebble beaches) and it is intended to develop a protocol for testing sorbent use and effectiveness. Work has also been commissioned on bioremediation. A State of the Art Report (1994) has been produced and research is ongoing.PQ 1469/95/96
Dalegarth Cory Towage Ltd. Milford Haven Thorngath Stackgarth Tito Neri
- Portgarth: Cory Towage Ltd., Avonmouth
- Yewgarth Cory Towage Ltd., Liverpool
- Eldergarth Cory Towage Ltd., Liverpool
- Eskgarth: Irish Tugs Ltd.
- Anglian Duke Klyne Tugs, Lowestoft
- Anglian Earl Klyne Tugs, Lowestoft
- Vanguard: Carmet Towing, Liverpool
- Alfred: Howard Smith, Swansea
- Arild Viking: Arild Viking AS; Viking Supply AS; Norway
- De Yue: Fairmount, Rotterdam
- Vikingbank Smit Tak, Rotterdam
- Smit Orca Smit Tak, Rotterdam
PQ 1471/95/96
Seven vessels suitable for recovering spilled oil from the surface of the sea were offered to the Marine Pollution Control Unit, of which six were accepted. The remaining offer was not needed. The details are as follows:725W
Vessel Status Comment Rijn Delta Accepted Dutch Small AGT Accepted Dutch Ailette Accepted French Elan Accepted French NOFO1 oil recovery vessel Declined Not required Forth Explorer Accepted UK Sefton Supporter Accepted UK 1 Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies. In addition to those vessels offered, the MPCU chartered the Gordon Thomas, and hired three small oil recovery craft. Two specialised oil recovery vessels belonging to Milford Haven Port Authority were also used.