Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government who was responsible for the maintenance of the access ramps to the mezzanine deck on the St Helen ferry at Fishbourne, Isle of Wight, which collapsed on 18 July 2014 causing several injuries; whether any prosecutions are planned; and who would be responsible for any resulting prosecutions.

Maintenance of all parts of a vessel is the responsibility of the ship owner or operator.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) examines significant breaches of safety and environmental aspects of Merchant Shipping legislation to determine what action is appropriate, which may include prosecution.

The MCA is considering the circumstances of this particular incident in light of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s report.