Statement from Alasdair Morrison, Labour candidate
Labour candidate Alastair Morrison has written to the Scottish Secretary urging the government to reinstate a tug boat in the Minch in order to safeguard our mariners and the marine environment, as well as fishing, aquaculture and tourism jobs which depend on it.
Alasdair Morrison said: “The cargo ship which has run aground off Ardnamurchan serves as a warning of the dangers that threaten our fragile marine environment. Whilst we are pleased that at this point there has been no reported pollution, this would appear to be very fortunate.
“There was a significant delay after the ship grounding before the only available tug arrived in the area due to the distance it had to travel. We once had a tug, based in Stornoway, which allowed a more immediate response. That is the service which must be reinstated. Does there have to be a serious incident before the government listen to the people and accept we need a dedicated tug in the Minch waters?”
incidents like this demonstrate more than hot air why the tug needs reinstating
Is he living in your shed by any chance?
I’m asking out of genuine concern as it’s not ok to chain someone up and force them to provide the most mundane soundbites imaginable as click-bait. (Unless it’s Justin Bieber, in which case chain-away).
It seems that since his being announced as Labour candidate, you have been quoting him on every issue under the sun. Such as : “Did MacNeil ever do anything to stop your pets disappearing when burnt? As official labour MP (sorry, I mean candidate), I promise to provide eternal peats)”, “Why has the Scottish Government failed to erect the promised giant umbrella over Eoropie?” and who can forget “Wè need tugs here, no one else has ever EVER suggested that before. Damn Tory SNP lovers! Were it not for them, we would have independence by now, traitorous nationalists!”
So, you see, the only way I can imagine you able to report so much banal pontification from him without any hint of irony is that he is chained up in your shed. Should we be worried?
Damn Autocorrect. “Peats” not “Pets”; I sure would be concerned if you were burning pets.
I agree totally that the tug station on the west coast should be reinstated. The vessel that ran aground yesterday was flying a flag of convenience ie British flag. I bet there was not a single British national aboard that ship? Tony Blair’s government put paid to that when they changed the requirement that the master on a British ship had to be British or a Commonwealth citizen. Many British registered ships are sailing with Eastern European crews from the Master down.
The blame lies squarely with the Red Tories and the Blue Tories. They control the English parliament, and they control the disposition of tugs and the laws on flags of convenience. Neither of the Tory parties is concerned about what happens in Scotland other than hanging on to it as a cash cow to support and finance England.
The Labour candidate is running rings round Angus Brendan, who is busy worrying about the MOD repairing their buildings in St Kilda.
His colleague, the MSP, is busy on a wild goose chase.
No wonder more and more of us are vowing never to vote for them again.
Anyone heard from Doctor Wilson or Archie Harper? they must be due an outing soon and where on earth is the delightful Mr Bob Duncan…..come on guys everyone knows you’ve been silenced by Alasdair Allan – but remember he’s willing to sacrifice Angus Brendan. You’d better start fighting because it increasingly clear that Morrison is going to send the Barrach hame tae think again – where he can spend more time with his Twitter machine…..
Is the MP still shopping for his oats in Iceland??
Dr Wilson and Harper are otherwise engaged signing off billet duox from the local SNP “press office” to a local “news” site.
The other fellow has not been spotted since his very hasty exit from the Health Board last year.
To be fair the matter of the Coastguard Tugs is a matter for our masters in Westminster and sod all to do with the Scottish Government. Another example of joined up thinking in that place.
Absolutely right Norman, which is why the letter from Mr. Morrison was addressed to Alastair Carmichael, the Scottish Secretary.
I wonder if the MP is capable of making a good plate of porridge with all them oats?
He certainly knows how to make a proper brochan of everything he touches!
I was right, the crew of the LYSBLINK comprised a Norwegian Master with the remainder being Russians and Estonians. Pretty typical of a British ship these days.
The most common feature of these groundings is fatigue. You can have the most modern navigation plotters on ships bridges but they are not much use if the OOW is asleep.
The total complement of nine was in accordance with the Minimum Manning Certificate issued by the MCA. This provided two deck officers only in addition to the Master. The following is an extract from the International Maritime Organisation Resolution A.890 (21) on Principles of Safe Manning:
.2 except in ships of limited size, the provision of qualified deck officers to ensure
that it is not necessary for the master to keep regular watches by adopting a
three-watch system;
Clearly the above cannot be complied with if you only have two watch standing officers. The question should be why is the MCA failing to take notice of the IMO Resolution A.890. This results in fatigue and the type of incident we saw last week.