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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called for more maritime emergency tug cover in the Minch after a it emerged that two vessels will be based in the north east.

The UK Government has brokered an agreement with the oil industry to release one of BP’s vessels to respond to an incident in waters around Scotland.

The North Star-owned MV Grampian Frontier, which is chartered by BP, will be based at Kirkwall.  The anchor handler can be called in by coastguards to provide support in the event of a pollution incident.

The north’s coastguard tug MV Herakles is also stationed in Orkney sparking calls from the Comhairle for more cover off the west coast.

Comhairle Leader Angus Campbell said: “It is good news that the oil industry is taking a greater role in the provision of an ETV for the north of Scotland and the Secretary of State has done well to secure such a model.

“However this still leaves the west coast vulnerable to incidents. The original plan, in the event of securing a second tug, was to move the ‘Herakles’ further south to ensure adequate cover for the west and the Minches as far south as Mingulay.

“I will be seeking a meeting of the Scottish emergency towing vessel working group to examine the issues around deployment arrangements.”

 

Photo: A deal has been brokered between the government and BP to use one of the oil company's vessels to provide emergency tug cover in the northern isles. The arrangement will see the BP chartered anchor handling vessel "Grampian Frontier" being drafted in to help in the event of a marine pollution incident. The deal - which will cost BP one hundred and sixty thousand pounds a year - is in response to concerns in Orkney and Shetland following a reduction in the emergency tug cover for the area last year.

Call to locate emergency tug cover on west coast          20/2/13

MV Grampian Frontier operates