ETV contract in Scotland extended to March
The ETV Anglian Sovereign is operating in Scottish waters along with Anglian Monarch until March.
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has awarded a new short term contract with J P Knight (Lowestoft) Ltd to enable the Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) Anglian Sovereign and Anglian Monarch to remain in service in Scottish waters until the end of March 2012.
All of the original four ETVs were withdrawn from service in September 2011 when the UK Government decided to scrap the 24/7 year-round ETV cover in Scotland and the south of England. In response to the outrage generated in the Highlands and Islands and response by the Scottish Parliament, the tugs were given an eleventh hour reprieve under a temporary 90 day contract for the two northern ETVs, which expired at the end of the year (MJ November 2011). The cover has now been extended, with yet another temporary contract awarded to the original contractor J P Knight (Lowestoft) Ltd now based in Invergordon.
Scotland Secretary Michael Moore is reported as saying that a long term solution for the Western Isles and west Highlands had still to be agreed. In a written statement, Mr Moore said, "I am pleased to confirm that the North Sea oil industry, led by Oil and Gas UK and its member companies, has indicated its willingness to offer support by establishing a call-off arrangement for their chartered vessels to be deployed in support of HM Coastguard in the event of an emergency. Detailed work is under way between operators, vessel owners and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on working practices and necessary protocols governing the arrangements."
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment for the Scottish Parliament has stated that the tugs provided an "invaluable service". He added, "The most important thing now is that a workable, long term solution is found. It is encouraging that discussions with Oil and Gas UK may lead to a permanent solution in the Northern Isles. And I hope that a solution can also be found to cover the Western Isles area."
At the time of writing there is no indication of any similar action within the British Government to resurrect the ETV service in the English Channel and Western Approaches.
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