Second stay of execution for coastguard tug 20/12/11
The Stornoway coastguard tug has had its temporary contract extended passed its January deadline to allow more breathing space while negotiations continues to try and find the cash to keep it on station permanently.
The oil industry has offered to contribute to a tug service on the east coast, by deploying its own offshore supply boats and chartered vessels to an emergency, but there is no solution in sight to cover the Minch.
In October the tug received a last minute stay of execution from an announcement
to remove it completely in a cost-
But the political outcry resulted in the Anglian Monarch being chartered for three months while the UK government tries to find funding to keep an emergency salvage ship for the Western Isles.
Today, the UK government announced it will keep the Stornoway tug on patrol until April.
Council leader Angus Campbell said: “Scotland Secretary Michael Moore has identified the oil and gas industry as being part of the answer for the northern isles but that is not a solution for the western waters.
There remains a lot of work to be done to put in place an appropriate provision. Otherwise, come March and the end of the contract, we will be increasing the risk for mariners and the environment. We will continue to work with Government to find a long term solution to this crucial issue.”
SNP MP Angus MacNeil: ‘Today our tugs have received another reprieve from the UK Government with promises of a long term solution coming soon.
‘I will be looking forward to working with my constituents in examining the plans that the UK Government has for the future of maritime safety in Scotland.
‘I also hope that the UK Government will be working with local government, the Scots Government and the Scots Parliament when crafting their new plans.
‘While I am happy to see the extension we will need something concrete from the UK Government in the next three months. I would hate to be in this position again at the end of March 2012.