Lochhead calls for tug rethink as grounded ship leaks oil
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THE environment secretary has made an urgent call for the UK Government to extend funding for an emergency tug in Scottish waters.
Richard Lochhead was speaking in the wake of the recent sinking of the Cemfjord in the Pentland Firth and the grounding of the large cargo ship, Lysblink Seaways, at Ardnamurchan Point on Wednesday.
The Lysblink Seaways is now leaking diesel oil and the Maritime Coasguard Agency said an absorbent boom has been put in place in a bid to contain the leak.
Speaking during the national marine plan debate in Holyrood today (Thursday), Mr Lochhead said emergency towing vehicle provision should be reviewed immediately and extended beyond March 2016.
Currently there is only one emergency towing vessel covering the whole of Scotland’s coast.
Mr Lochhead said the UK Government must reassure maritime industries that emergency tug provision is available across Scotland’s waters including the Western Isles and the west coast of Scotland.
He said marine industries bring in around £18 billion to the Scottish economy and there must be adequate provision to protect these interests and the marine environment itself.
Mr Lochhead said: "Scotland’s rich seas are of huge economic and environmental importance. The seas bring a vast array of benefits not only in terms of the importance of scenery and wildlife - but also the economic gains through industry, the contribution to food and energy security and the provision of a wide range of goods and services. Protection of our marine environment is at the heart of Scotland’s first national marine plan.
"Over the past few months alone there has been three major incidents involving vessels in our waters – most recently the grounding of a large cargo ship this week near Ardnamurchan Point, illustrating the need to give our utmost protection to the marine environment.
"Our seas are vast, we have six times more water than land in Scotland and unfortunately incidents do happen. It is unacceptable that we have only one emergency towing vessel to cover the whole of the country. The UK Government cannot be allowed to gamble on Scotland’s marine environment.
"This is why today I will write to seek early discussions on the immediate review and call of the UK Government to extend funding for Emergency Towing Vessels beyond March 2016.
"We have a responsibility to ensure that our seas are well managed now and into the future, so that a full range of benefits continue to flow to the people of Scotland."
