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Orkney-based emergency tug to be 'permanent fixture' UK government to meet cost of Orkney-based tug
(about 3 hours later)
A threatened emergency towing vessel (ETV) is to be permanently retained, Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has told the BBC. The UK government is to meet the cost of providing an Orkney-based emergency towing vessel (ETV).
The Orkney-based Herakles is the last of four emergency towing vessels based around the UK coastline. Funding for the Herakles, which is the last of four emergency towing vessels based around the UK, was due to end in September.
They were introduced following the grounding of the tanker Braer in Shetland in 1993. The service was introduced following the grounding of the tanker Braer in Shetland in 1993.
UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said the "absolutely critical" tug would be funded for five years.
The vessel has been given a number of stays of execution since plans to scrap it were announced six years ago.The vessel has been given a number of stays of execution since plans to scrap it were announced six years ago.
'Government expenditure' 'Pollution prevention'
Orkney, Shetland and Highland councils, along with Highlands and Islands MPs and MSPs, had raised concerns about the loss of the service. Mr Goodwill had asked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to look at alternative options for towing provision beyond September.
Until 2012, Scotland had two ETVs available for towing ships that had grounded or broken down on Scotland's north and west coasts. However, after concerns were raised by Orkney, Shetland and Highland councils, along with Highlands and Islands MPs and MSPs about the potential loss of the service, Mr Goodwill said there was "a strong case" for government to step in.
Mr Carmichael said the news ended years of uncertainty: "It remains to be seen the basis on which this is to be funded, but it will be funded from government expenditure and it will be a permanent fixture. He said: "This service is absolutely critical to ensuring emergency services can respond swiftly to incidents off the coast of Scotland.
"We have taken this decision following extensive consultation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. This is an important measure to ensure maritime safety and pollution prevention measures in the waters around Scotland."
The government said that under a new contract, the MCA would seek to recover costs of the tug from the shipping industry wherever possible and, in the longer term, explore opportunities for the vessel to take on low-risk commercial work.
The announcement comes after Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said the tug would be a "permanent fixture".
He told the BBC: "It remains to be seen the basis on which this is to be funded, but it will be funded from government expenditure and it will be a permanent fixture.
"I have to say this is really good news. We've had to fight this battle long and hard and more times than anybody ought to have done."I have to say this is really good news. We've had to fight this battle long and hard and more times than anybody ought to have done.
"But to have got this decision, which is absolutely the right one, is only to be welcomed.""But to have got this decision, which is absolutely the right one, is only to be welcomed."
Until 2012, Scotland had two ETVs available for towing ships that had grounded or broken down on Scotland's north and west coasts.