The UK Government has been accused of “ignoring every warning” received in recent years regarding cuts to the number of Emergency Rowing Vessels (ERVs) in Scotland following the grounding of a Transocean oil rig earlier today.
SNP MSP Alasdair Allan raised his concerns after hearing reports the Marine Coastguard Agency’s nearest emergency towing vessel was in the region of 14 hours away.
He said he will now be raising his concerns with UK Ministers following the incident.
The Transocean Winner was blown ashore in Dalmore near the village of Carloway after heavy winds and rain battered the region overnight and early this morning.
The 17,000 tonne rig lost its connection with a tug boat off the cost of the Isle of Lewis.
The politician said: “This morning the tow line between a tug and the Transocean Winner oil rig snapped in heavy weather, resulting in the rig going aground at Dalmore on the west side of Lewis.
“I am grateful to hear that there have been no injuries reported after this incident but it does leave us with a significant environmental threat to deal with. I am also deeply concerned to hear that the Marine Coastguard Agency’s nearest emergency towing vessel was in the region of 14 hours away.
“Since the number of emergency towing vessels based in Scotland has been cut from 2 to 1 this community has repeatedly warned of exactly this kind of incident, where a large vessel or rig gets in to difficulty on the west coast of Scotland.
“Clearly the priority now has to be minimising any environmental threat, and I know that the emergency services are working very hard to achieve this. However, this raises serious questions which I will now be taking up with UK Ministers.”