The Shetland Oil Disaster: Unions seek inquiry into foreign ships
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SEAFARERS' unions yesterday demanded a meeting with ministers to discuss a 'massive' decline in the standards of shipping sailing through British waters, writes Barrie Clement.
In the wake of the disaster of the Liberian-registered Braer, Numast, the union representing ships' officers, urged the Government to widen the Department of Transport inquiry to include the safety of vessels under foreign flags. John Newman, general secretary, said the response of Lord Caithness, the shipping minister, made him sound like 'minister for flags of convenience'. He said: 'The best thing he could do for safety in British waters is to do something to promote the British merchant fleet, with its outstanding safety record.'
The ship conformed to the statistical profile of the most vulnerable vessels, Mr Newman said. 'It was an old ship, sailing under a foreign flag with a mixed nationality crew who might find it difficult to communicate, especially in an emergency.' The senior officers on board were Greek, the junior officers were Polish and the ratings Filipino.
Tony Magregor, assistant general secretary of the union RMT, which covers ships' ratings, joined the call for a full inquiry and said: 'The disaster was waiting to happen and it will happen again unless the Government insists on higher standards.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments