Stricken ship prompts salvage tug demand 20/10/14
Western Isles Council has renewed calls for an emergency salvage tug to be based on the west coast after a cargo ship broke down as it headed towards the Hebrides.
The local authority wants the UK Government to act urgently after 5,050 tonne MV Nicola was drifting helplessly in the Pentland Firth after suffering engine problems on Sunday night.
A tow was set up but deteriorating weather prevented them from heading to Scrabster harbour for repairs. Instead, the disabled ship has been taken to anchorage in Scapa Flow.
If the incident occurred hours later, the 14-
But no emergency vessel would have been available to pull her to safety as the Stornoway coastguard tug was removed for good in March 2012 due to UK government cutbacks.
Fierce winds and very rough seas are forecasted for the time of her planned passage west coast on Tuesday.
If the incident occurred later, the MV Nicola -
Western Isles Council said the incident highlights the vulnerability of the west coast to shipping disasters without an emergency towing tug available.
It said an emergency tug is urgently required to be on station in the Minch as the first point of defence to prevent drifting ships from crashing onto rocks.
Council leader Angus Campbell stressed: “At some point an accident is going to happen
-
He said an oil spill from fuel leaking from a stricken ship would cause pollution and seriously damage the wild fisheries and salmon farm industries islanders depended upon.
He pointed out lives of seamen onboard a stricken vessel are also at risk.
Mr Campbell said: “We need a tug based on the west coast and particularly to cover the Minch.
“Twenty four hours later and the problem with the MV Nicola could have happened here but we do not have a tug close at hand.”
He urged the government to station an emergency towing vessel off the Hebrides “before the accident waiting to happen does occur.”