Highland welcomes first meeting of Scottish ETV Group

The  Highland Council has welcomed a commitment by the UK Government to find a long-term solution for protecting the shores of the West Highlands and Islands.

Councillor John Laing , Chairman of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, represented the Council at the first meeting of the Scottish Emergency Towing Vessel Group in Edinburgh , chaired by Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore.

Councillor Laing agreed the meeting was a positive step in the right direction and added: "It is really encouraging that the Secretary of State has taken the lead on this important issue and is so clearly determined to reach a positive outcome.  We are equally determined to assist Mr Moore and the UK Government in any way that we can to ensure the long term future of the Scottish Emergency tugs."

The Scottish Emergency Towing Vessel Group is investigating potential long-term solutions for emergency towing cover in waters around the Northern and Western Isles. The original contract ended a fortnight ago and the UK Government announced it had secured interim funding for three months to cover the ETVs. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) awarded the new 90-day contract to JP Knight last Friday. The tugs were back on station at the weekend.

The Scottish ETV Group saw representatives of Shetland, Orkney, Highland and the Western Isles Councils as well as the M aritime Coastguard Agency, Department for Transport, Marine Scotland, KIMO and the Chamber of Shipping discuss the outline approach to the issue. The Scotland Office Minister David Mundell also attended.

Michael Moore said: “This was a practical and constructive first meeting. We are determined to do everything we can to find a viable, long term alternative. Our discussions today were focused on what Scotland needs from its ETVs and what the options may be in finding a long-term replacement. We worked well across a wide range of interests and I am confident we can put the huge level of expertise and experience represented on the Group to good work.”