Hendry warns of 'serious risks' at tug meeting
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HIGHLAND Council’s Leader will tell the Secretary of State for Scotland today (Thursday) he believes the lack of emergency tugs present "very serious risks" to lives and the environment.
Drew Hendry is meeting Alistair Carmichael to discuss the provision of Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs).
Also attending the meeting are the Leaders of Shetland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Depute Lead Councillor for Argyll and Bute Council.
The meeting comes in the wake of the grounding of a vessel last week off the Ardnamurchan peninsula, and a fire on board the MV Parida, which was carrying radioactive waste, in the Moray Firth last autumn.
Highland Council is deploying pollution protection equipment and other resources to the location, should this be required.
Cllr Drew Hendry said: "The circumstances of this incident are not yet known, however, I think this and other recent incidents including the MV Parida, highlight the very serious risks around our coastal waters and clearly underlines the need to put in place adequate safety measures to respond to any future incidents which could have much more serious consequences.
"It is vital to be able to respond to incidents quickly in order to protect lives and minimise the risk of environmental damage."
He added: "Together with colleagues in neighbouring councils I will be raising our concerns about the removal of ETVs from the west of Scotland and calling for reinstatement of adequate safety measures around our shores."
