§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the result of inquiries made by the Marine Safety Agency into the circumstances of the 17 hour delay in the completion of the journey commenced by M. V. Pride of Bilbao on 3 January. [23590]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. M. Bradley to write to the hon. Member.
358WLetter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Peter Viggers, dated 16 January 1998
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the vessel "Pride of Bilbao".The vessel recently completed a voyage from Bilbao to Portsmouth in poor weather conditions which worsened as the passage continued. The Master of the vessel was subsequently interviewed by MSA officials. It was established that weather forecasts were available at the outset of the voyage and it was found that it was not unreasonable, on safety grounds, for the voyage to have been commenced.There were twelve reported injuries, the worst of which was a broken arm: no damage to the ship was sustained. All of the injuries sustained have been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their consideration.The MSA is content that the Master did not put to sea in overly adverse conditions and did not compromise safety in any part of the voyage.