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THE delegation which travelled to London and urged the Government to keep the Coastguard tug in Stornoway during winter months seem to have been successful.
Western Isles MP Calum Macdonald, who was part of the delegation, commented:-"We are confident that the Government will keep the tug in Stornoway in the winter - but very doubtful that they will extend this service over the summer months."
He went on, "They seemed positive that it worked and we made the point that it had to stay in Stornoway over the winter months. We told them that we could not do without it. The Department were digging in their heels as far the summer months were concerned. They pointed out that it cost £1million per tug per winter."
Another member of the delegation, Comhairle nan Eilean's Harbourmaster Captain Bert Frater was also confident this would be the case after they met Transport Minister Lord Goschen.
Said Captain Frater, "Although Lord Goschen said that an announcement would be made in due course, the general feeling was that the tug would be provided again next winter."
Others who were part of the delegation were Caithness and Sutherland Liberal Democrat MP Robert Maclennan, Ross, Cromarty and Skye Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy, Comhairle nan Eilean's Transportation Committee chairman Alex Macdonald and Councillor Donald Maclean of Lochmaddy. Representatives from Highland Region were unable to be present because of the weather conditions.
Said the MP, "It was a useful meeting because we were able to cover a lot of ground due to the fact that representatives of different agencies involved were present."
But he added, "Although it was useful, progress was limited."
Mr Macdonald said that one of the matters on which they had made progress was on the question of vessels reporting to the Coastguard when going through the Minch.
"We want this to be mandatory and the Department said they would renew their efforts to get the reporting made," he said.
Lord Goschen had undertaken to raise the matter with the International Maritime Organisation which will also be considering a radio transponder scheme. This would require vessels to carry radio equipment which automatically transmits their identity and location.
On the question of pilotage through the Minch, Mr Macdonald said that the feeling had been that irresponsible vessels would not want to pay for this and would sail down the route to the west of the Hebrides in bad weather.
Regarding the deep water route west of the Hebrides, the Government representatives had said if it was too far to the west a lot of vessels would not use it as it would be costly fuel-wise.
Captain Frater said that a 'frank exchange of views' had taken place at the meeting.
"We told Lord Goschen that we were looking for a tug presence in Stornoway throughout the year and not just restricted to the winter months. We also told those present that we had no assurance that we would get the tug back again this winter and they said the would fully consider the matter over the summer," said Captain Frater.
He went on, "We have had the tug for three winters and they said they would assess whether they would carry on with it. Lord Goschen did not give any assurance that we would get the tug this winter and went into the fact that it cost £1million a session. He wasn't able to allay our anxiety."
Regarding the delegation's plea for movement to the deep water route to the west of the Hebrides, Captain Frater said, "On the navigation side, they said they would have to do a full survey there because the International Maritime Organisation would not agree to this without such a survey. They seemed reluctant on that one."
On the question of compulsory pilotage in the Minch, Captain Frater commented, "There were various reasons given as to why they should not go ahead with this, one being that the demand for that had not been explored. But this will be brought up when the West of Scotland District Maritime Safety Committee meet in Stornoway next month."
Lord Goschen said he would support the view that tankers should report to the Coastguard before travelling through the Minch.
Said Captain Frater, "We were told that they would undertake to reinforce the message at the main ports from which ships leave to go through the Minch."
He added, "It was a useful meeting. We told them what we wanted and they, without objecting, gave reasons why it was difficult to put some of them into fruition. Some of the reasons were financial and others practical.
"We put what we thought was a very strong case. It is useful for us to know how they are thinking and for them to know our views. From that point of view, it was very useful," said Captain Frater.
Original article Stornoway Gazette Mar 01 1997.
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