On February 18, a cargo vessel stricken sans its steering power was reportedly rescued from Kylerhea straits.
What happened?
Emergency calls were raised by the 1,200-tonne cargo vessel ‘CEG Universe’ after it was disabled due to a broken rudder in the Kylerhea straits between Skye and the mainland.
The cargo vessel was held in tow by the lifeboats ‘Kyle’ and ‘Mallaig’ until a call was raised to an emergency tug to be stationed in the north-west and successfully pulled it to safety.
Need for tow boats
The local MP Ian Blackford has written to the UK Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jo Johnson, calling for the immediate reinstatement of an emergency towing vessel in Stornoway to better respond to emergencies off the west coast.
He stressed the need for an emergency towing vessel, based within a short steaming time of the west coast, was crucial since the emergency towing vessel was removed from Stornoway in 2011 as part of a cost-cutting exercise by the UK Government.
Rescue efforts hampered due to non-availability
Mr Blackford said, “On two occasions disasters have been averted by lifeboat and other emergency services putting in a tremendous effort and also by a good deal of luck, with one ship drifting away from the rocks and in this latest incident being close to Butec facilities who were able to provide a tug to pull the vessel to safety”.
He further added, “Had either of these ships been grounded they could have caused tremendous ecological damage to already-fragile marine environments. This is something we just cannot go on leaving to chance”.
Cllr Mackay said, “At the weekend we had another incident off the west coast which could have seriously impacted marine wildlife and the coastal environment. These incidents are all too frequent and we remain very concerned, as do colleagues in neighbouring councils, about the current situation which increases the risks for mariners and the environment. We will once again be making the case to the UK Government for a second ETV based on the west coast to address this serious issue”.
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Source: West Highland Free Press
