[Stronsaylimpet] From Alistair Carmichael - storms & safety at sea

[Limpet editor]

 From Alistair Carmichael
Two weeks on from the terrorist attacks which took place in Southern 
Israel, the losses in Israel and Gaza continue to grow. There is always 
pressure to “pick a side” in conflict, but as my colleague Layla Moran 
has put it, it is possible to recognise and care for the loss of 
innocent lives wherever they happen – we cannot afford to let one harm 
to innocents justify another.
Closer to home and between Storm Babet and a raft of issues relating to 
fishing and coastguard proposals, safety at sea has been high on the 
agenda in Parliament – as you will see below.
Raising the Antonio Maria case with the Fisheries Minister
Many in the isles will have seen the video posted on social media of the 
incident between the Antonio Maria and the Defiant in the waters off 
Shetland. I pushed the fisheries minister in DEFRA questionsto explain 
what the government will do in response. The footage is shocking enough, 
but the real scandal is that this is not the first time it has happened.
I am glad that the minister was at least aware of the incident and will 
take it up with his colleagues but until we find a better way to bring 
consequences to those who act recklessly at sea this will keep on 
happening. The MCA has washed its hands of the matter as it is in the 
Exclusive Economic Zone rather than territorial waters – that is just 
not good enough.
If direct enforcement is not possible outside of our territorial waters 
then the government needs to look at indirect methods. Other countries 
manage to stop this aggressive behaviour. It cannot be beyond the wit of 
man for our own government to do the same.
Calling for a parliamentary statement on coastguard helicopter
Reports last week indicated that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is 
considering proposals to increase the response time for the coastguard 
helicopter based at Sumburgh from 15 minutes to 1 hour – a four-fold 
increase. These changes pose a serious concern for safety at sea. I have 
written to the Secretary of State for Transport and await his response – 
something I noted to the Leader of the House in Business Questions on 
Thursday.
The MCA has said that discussions are “ongoing”. As far as I am aware, 
these “ongoing” discussions are not going on with islanders themselves. 
You might think that we had an interest in the matter!
The coastguard helicopter is a highly valued resource for islanders – 
particularly fishermen and workers in the energy industry – for safety 
at sea. With autumn storms drawing in it is a reminder of just how 
important these services are. One way or another we need answers – I 
shall be following this matter up again in the coming days.
Impossible MCA advice putting Harbour Masters at legal risk
I have spoken before about the challenges faced by fishermen as a result 
of stringent new medical certificate requirements from the government. 
Not content with giving a headache to those at sea, the MCA has now also 
put Harbour Masters in hot water. They have given written advice to 
fishermen to ask local Harbour Masters to act in lieu of an employer and 
sign these medical applications – but did not inform the Harbour Masters 
themselves.
What is proposed here is to turn the problems of the Maritime and 
Coastguard Agency into the problems of Harbour Masters. Shifting the 
problem is not the same as solving it.
I cannot think of any reason why any Harbour Master would put themselves 
in that position. It is impossible to see how they would be protected in 
terms of liability. If I were a Harbour Master I would be seeking 
independent legal advice as a matter of urgency.
We need root and branch reform in how the MCA and other marine agencies 
operate. They are supposed to have a responsibility to the people and 
businesses they work into – somewhere along the line they seem to have 
lost sight of that.
Renewing the call for a 1-gigawatt tidal stream energy target
Thursday also saw a new debate on the Contracts for Difference scheme 
which aims to promote the development of upcoming renewables projects. 
The Northern Isles have a deep interest in this scheme, as we play host 
not just to the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, but to a number 
of tidal power projects which have gained funding support. The decision 
to include in AR4 a ringfenced pot of £20 million for tidal stream 
energy generation was absolutely transformative for the industry.
I took the opportunity in the debate to put it to the minister that 
tidal power is now the only renewable technology that does not yet have 
a gigawatt target. Setting a 1-gigawatt target for the rollout of tidal 
energy would be a boon for the isles and for the wider country. The 
minister would not give a commitment but I sense there may be movement 
on this matter in the months to come – watch this space.
Digital Forum returns
And finally – this week sees the Digital Forumreturn to Orkney with 
myself and Liam McArthur MSP, from 12-2pm on Friday at the St Magnus 
Centre. We’ll be hearing from representatives of Openreach, Scottish 
Government, O2 and OIC, who will be providing updates on the rollout of 
digital connectivity to the isles. All are welcome to join, including 
online – if possible let our offices know via our MP or MSP emails!
For those in Shetland, details are still being finalised but we expect 
the Digital Forum to be held on the 17th of November – more to follow.
As ever, if there are any issues that you would like to raise with me, 
please do not hesitate to get in touch - and for specific casework 
matters you can contact me at alistair.carmichael.mp at parliament.uk.
Yours ever,
Alistair Carmichael
MP for Orkney and Shetland
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