Safety campaigners outraged after emergency vessel axed a week early

CAMPAIGNERS have reacted angrily to the withdrawal of an emergency tug a week before the end of its contract and while efforts are continuing to save it from the axe.

Contracts for the emergency towing vessels (ETVs) in the Minch and off Orkney and Shetland are due to end on Friday.

Local authorities and politicians still hope to persuade the UK government to extend the contracts by suggesting new ways of funding the vessels.

However, the Minch tug has now been removed. A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: “This is happening within the contract time in order to avoid any further cost to the taxpayer.

“The MCA has to return the ETVs to their previous state and it is better value for money to do this before they are returned to their owners.”

But Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said the decision was “nothing short of reckless”.

He said the transport select committee in Westminster has condemned the plans to axe the vessels and local authorities have strenuously lobbied the UK government on the issue. “To add insult to injury the vessel based in Stornoway seems to have been removed a week early.

“Our coastline has been left vulnerable. With the winter approaching, this is a careless act by the UK government.”

Western Isles Council has also drawn up an action plan suggesting councils work with the MCA and Department for Transport to fund the vessels in future.

This week, Dr Michael Foxley, leader of Highland Council, told shipping minister Mike Penning he will hold him personally responsible for any loss of life or environment disaster arising from the axing of the tugs.