Computers
Repairs
Sales
Service
Desktops & Laptops
Phones
Cameras
ipods
Consoles
& Games
01851
700178
17 Bayhead St
Stornoway, Lewis
Fury as Stornoway coastguard tug removed 27/9/11
A group of coastal local councils are furious that the Stornoway coastguard tug has been removed from station while on government contract for an early refit.
The Anglian Sovereign departed the Minch at the weekend for drydocking today . Ironically, she has been anchored off Aberdeen the east coast for the past two days when she could have been on her normal patrol duties off the Western Isles.
The Anglian Earl, based in the Fair Isles, will cover both the North West and Shetland waters until Friday when it is also removed from contract.
Tom Piper, UK coordinator for coastal council environmental body KIMO said: “Only a few short weeks ago the minister, Mike Penning, was suggesting that the tug in the Minches may have its contract extended for a few months.”
Now “the UK will be one of the few countries in Europe who do not protect their waters from disaster.”
He added: “The majority of our neighbours feel that the provision of an ETV (salvage tug) is of vital importance to a safe and clean environment, Spain has fourteen ETV’s, Norway has seven, France has five, Sweden three and the Netherlands, Poland, Iceland and Finland each have one.”
Mr Piper added: “Germany has 2,389km of coastline and feels it needs eight tugs to protect it while the UK has over 30,000 km of coast and does not feel it needs any. The Minister of Shipping, who represents a landlocked constituency, risking the long term health of our seas for short term gain. The MCA motto is currently safer lives, safer ships, cleaner seas. I would suggest that it is time to change it so that it reflects the truth.
KIMO UK adds its voice to those who have told Mike Penning, Sir Alan Massey, the MCA chief executive and Phillip Naylor, director of maritime services at the MCA that they are responsible for safety and the environment along the previously protected coasts.
KIMO UK Chair, Councillor Len Scoullar said “Increasing demands on the use of the sea for wind farms, marine renewables, aquaculture and marine conservation along with new vessel types such as Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS), deep sea drilling operations and an increase in large cruise liners visiting more hostile and remote areas present means that this ludicrous decision must be reversed as soon as possible.”