HC Deb 07 September 2004 vol 424 c1138W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to ensure traceability of the Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel since the disappearance of the previous boat from Lough Neagh. [184834]

Angela Smith

There are no measures available which are foolproof and which would ensure traceability of a stolen boat. However, there are other factors which may enable the Board to trace the vessel. The Board has registered the vessel with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Accordingly, if it was stolen and recovered it could be traced back to the Board. The Board is also looking at whether there are cost effective measures, which might make traceability easier. Furthermore, appropriate equipment on board the vessel carry serial numbers.

The Board has taken measures to try to protect the boat from theft. The vessel is moored in a prominent berth in Ballycastle Marina. The Marina is staffed from 8.00 am to midnight during the summer and from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm in winter. There are also three CCTVs covering the Marina for security purposes.

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