Safer Seas Around Shetland

EDM number 1589 in 1993-94, proposed by James Wallace on 17/10/1994.

That this House, mindful of the events of 5th January, 1993 when the 'Braer' went aground on the south coast of Shetland and when major economic and environmental disaster was only narrowly avoided, welcomes the Report of the noble Lord Donaldson on 'Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas' as an important contribution towards the improvement of maritime safety, but notes that the recommendations of the report do not address the immediate concerns and needs of the Shetland community; therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Government to give urgent and sympathetic consideration to the calls made by the people of Shetland for improved surveillance of Shetland waters, pending international agreement on the widespread introduction and use of transponders on vessels, and for the presence in Northern waters, at least during winter months, of a salvage tug capable of assisting very large disabled ships in severe weather; and further urges Her Majesty's Government to respond promptly to these concerns, thereby giving reassurance to the people of Shetland before the onset of another winter.

This motion has been signed by a total of 49 MPs.