§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many fishing vessels were prohibited from putting to sea following safety inspections by officials of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [112766]
§ Mr. HillThe numbers of fishing vessels prohibited from putting to sea following safety inspections by officials of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each of the past five years are as follows:
Year Number 1994–95 26 1995–96 48 1996–97 55 1997–98 46 1998–99 49
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the range of penalties that can be imposed on the owners of fishing vessels for(a) the failure to maintain vessels in a seaworthy condition and (b) neglect of safety equipment; and if he will make a statement. [112767]
§ Mr. HillOwners of fishing vessels can be prosecuted for offences under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
The owner of a dangerously unsafe fishing vessel can be fined a maximum of £50,000 by magistrates and face an unlimited fine and/or two years in prison if convicted in the Crown court.
The owner of a fishing vessel is also liable for the unsafe operation of the vessel and faces the same penalties.
In addition the owner of a fishing vessel faces a maximum fine of £5,000 before magistrates and an unlimited fine in the Crown court if his vessel contravenes any of the fishing vessel construction rules which include maintaining rules on safety equipment.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many officials are employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to carry out inspections of fishing vessels in relation to(a) their seaworthiness and (b) the adequacy and maintenance of their safety equipment; and if he will make a statement. [112768]
§ Mr. HillThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency currently employs 16 marine surveyors to carry out safety inspections of fishing vessels. A further 41 coastguard officers are qualified to carry out basic safety checks on the under 12 metre fleet, and a further 17 are undergoing or awaiting training.