Glensanda incident highlights importance of ETVs

With only three weeks to go before the UK Government withdraws the emergency towing vessel that patrols the West Highlands, The Leader of The Highland Council Michael Foxley is highlighting a recent rescue in which the tug prevented a major environmental incident.

He recalled that in July 2010, the “Yeoman Bontrup” caught fire whilst at the berthage of the Glensanda Superquarry. The fire was put out by the emergency tug which then towed the vessel away.

He said: “Had the fire not been put out, the boat would have sunk at the berthage.    Glensanda would have been out of operation for at least 3 months with an economic cost running to millions of pounds.

“When the fire was put out the fuel tanks were close to rupturing.   Had this happened, 800 tonnes of fuel oil would have been discharged into the waters of Loch Linnhe.   Depending on wind and tide, this would have affected Loch Linnhe from Fort William to Oban and the waters around the Isle of Mull.   

“The economic consequences would have been enormous.   The cost to salmon farmers alone would have amounted to at least £50 million. The oil spillage would have destroyed many shellfish farms. It would have had disastrous consequences for marine mammals and sea birds.   It would have had a major impact upon the local economy because of its negative impact upon visiting yachtsmen, kayakers etc.

“To avoid this, this particular ETV costs £2.5M per annum.    It was involved in 5 major incidents in the southern Minches in the past year.

“It is vital that everybody concerned about this writes to their Highlands and Islands MP as well as to the Secretary of State for Transport: Philip.Hammond@dft.gsi.gov.uk”