There were celebrations last night as the only emergency tug serving north and northwest Scotland was saved for another five years – but the UK Government has infuriated campaigners by refusing to reinstate a second vessel.
The coastline will continue to depend on the single emergency towing vessel (ETV) Herakles, based on Orkney, for emergency responses.
The Herakles was due to be removed from service in September, leaving no cover for swathes of Scotland’s coast.
But yesterday, confirmation of the five-year funding pledge was welcomed by community leaders and politicians in the north.
However, concern remained about maritime safety and the marine environment now transport chiefs have again ruled out a designated ETV for the often treacherous waters of the Minches.
The Westminster government intended to scrap Herakles from the autumn but an immediate outcry prompted a full inquiry into the risk potential.
The ETVs were recommended by Lord Donaldson in his report into the sinking of the Braer oil tanker in 1993.
An example of the need for ETVs was an incident in October 2010 – two days after the announcement was made to remove the tugs – when the Stornoway vessel was called to assist the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Astute which ran aground off Skye.
UK transport chiefs yesterday (WED) confirmed that the money would be found to maintain the single tug.
Earlier this year, UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill asked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to look at alternative options.
He has concluded that “there is a strong case for the UK Government to step in to allow this vital service to continue.”
He said: “This service is absolutely critical to ensuring emergency services can respond swiftly to incidents off the coast of Scotland.”
The MCA review concluded the commercial towage market “cannot currently reliably meet the need for a dedicated service to cover the seas around Scotland.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “The UK Government has listened to what they have said.”
Former Highland Council leader Michael Foxley, who fought a long campaign to have a second Scottish tug reinstated, also welcomed the news.
But he added: “We need one back in the Minches, we need one based at Stornoway. It should be crewed and fuelled up and on active service – in the waters between Orkney and Shetland and the middle of the Minches.”
Current Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson was also cautious, welcoming the announcement but reserving further judgment until she had digested the detail of the new arrangements.
Her Western Isles counterpart Angus Campbell was disappointed.
He said: “The number of incidents over the past few years highlight the serious risks around our coastal waters. The extension of the north-based ETV contract clearly demonstrates that the government also realises the dangers.”
The current cost of operating Herakles is just over £3million per year. The MCA will go out to the open market to tender for a new ETV contract commencing on October 1.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Office said: “Operational experience over the past five years of having one ETV has demonstrated that a single vessel has been sufficient to meet the needs of the industry.”