Letter: Concern about safety of ro-ro ferries
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.From Mr Mark Watts, MEP
Sir: Many British holidaymakers will be alarmed by reports concerning the safety of roll-on, roll-off ferries. The leaked findings from the transport select committee report to be published on Friday suggest that safety on these ferries is currently unacceptably poor. As transport spokesperson for the European Parliamentary Labour Party, I would welcome any UK government measures that improve the safety of cross-Channel ferry transport. This is also an issue which requires European Union action. Legislation should cover all ferries using UK ports, not just UK ferries, and UK passengers need to know that they will be safe on all ferries operating in the EU.
The transport committee of the European Parliament has supported the public demand for greater safety at sea and stricter safety regulations. In June of this year I successfully guided legislation through the parliament on the safety management of ro-ro passenger vessels. The legislation addresses the human element of ferry safety and will force all EU countries to implement tough new safety standards from 1 January 1996.
Passengers cannot afford to wait any longer. The European Union must take a lead and pressure the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to make the fitting of watertight bulkheads compulsory at its November meeting. In the meantime, ferry companies can act themselves to improve the design and standards of their own ships. The Department of Transport could also make a start by releasing the data on buoyancy levels for all UK ferries that is currently unpublished in Britain. This would show immediately which vessels should and should not be operating.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Watts
MEP for Kent East
Ashford,
Kent
24 July
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments