Asked by: Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms his Department has put in place for responding to allegations that a competent harbour authority has not acted in conformity with the provisions of the Pilotage Act 1987.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
It is a Competent Harbour Authority which has the statutory duty to determine what pilotage services need to be provided to secure the safety of navigation of vessels operating in their waters. Where a ruling on the legality of its actions is needed, that is a matter for the court rather than the Department.
Asked by: Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals on the Port and Marine Safety Code.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
There are no plans to make the Port Marine Safety Code mandatory. The non-statutory status of the Code is vital to its success, enabling port operators to apply industry-agreed good practice flexibly in ways most appropriate to the size and operations of their facility.
Asked by: Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the role of his Department is in overseeing the operation of the Pilotage Act 1987 and in ensuring compliance with the provisions of that Act.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Department for Transport has no powers to oversee or direct Competent Harbour Authorities in the execution of their duties to provide pilotage services in accordance with the 1987 Pilotage Act.
Asked by: Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how his Department observes the Sea Empress ruling in its observation of the Pilotage Act 1987; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Under the Pilotage Act 1987, it is Competent Harbour Authority’s duty to keep under review what pilotage services are needed for safe navigation and to provide those services accordingly, for which a proper assessment of the interests of safety is relevant as spelt out in the Sea Empress case.