David Cameron has questioned whether the emergency tug stationed off Scotland’s northern coastline represents value for money.
The prime minister said the service, which costs £2-3million a year, is “currently used very sparingly”.
In that context, he said it was right to look at how it was delivered in the future and consider alternative options.
Northern Isles MP, Alistair Carmichael, raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.
The contract for the Orkney-based vessel was recently renewed for six months, but will expire at the end of September.
Former Scottish secretary, Mr Carmichael, asked the PM to reconsider the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) plan.
He highlighted the economic and environmental devastation caused by the 1993 oil tanker disaster in which the Liberian-registered MV Braer ran aground in a hurricane, spilling its load off Shetland.
Publicly-funded Emergency Towing Vessels were deployed in the wake of the incident, but as a result of spending cuts, the four vessels serving the region five years ago have been whittled down to one.
Concerns have repeatedly been raised about the situation, with some in the Highlands calling for a second tug to be reinstated.
In the chamber, Mr Carmichael told the PM: “The tug is our protection against ever being blighted in that way again.”
Mr Cameron acknowledged it had played an important role in the past, but added: “The cost is between £2-3million a year.
“Alternative options will take time to develop and implement which is why we have announced this will be funded until September 30.
“We will have to make a decision on provision in due course.”
Afterwards, Mr Carmichael said the PM should imagine having to wade through crude oil on a beach in his wellies.
He added: “He might then ask himself how he would look people in the eye if he knew that this had happened because his government removed the only protection that might have prevented it.
“The tug is our insurance policy. You pay your insurance premiums in good times and in bad so that when you need protection it will be there.”