Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the crewing model used by Prosafe to secure contracts with oil and gas companies for offshore worker accommodation on the UK Continental Shelf since January 2018.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, has powers in respect of the safe manning of UK ships and enforcement of international requirements for safe manning in respect of the navigation and safe operation of a non-UK ship. “Safe manning” in these terms does not include the crewing model in respect of other functions of the ship (such as the hotel services on board). The MCA can only inspect non-UK ships when calling at a UK port or anchorage.