Press Release
Council considers challenge to ETV removal
The Political Leader of the Shetland Islands Council has said he is “disappointed” after recent communications with the UK Government appears to be casting yet more doubt over the future of the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) service.
Speaking after a private meeting of the full Shetland Islands Council on Wednesday, Cllr Josie Simpson said “The future of the ETV service was discussed at yesterday’s meeting. Councillors considered a short report and we agreed to ask our Chief Executive to explore all possible avenues of political or legal challenge against the Government’s decision to remove the service. We have said all along that we consider this service to be crucial to maritime safety around these islands. We are part of an ETV Task Group which was set up to look at alternative funding proposals for the ETVs, so obviously, we will be discussing any challenges with that group as soon as possible”.
Representatives of the ETV Task Group met UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning in Inverness on Monday this week (25 July) to discuss the conclusions of the Group’s campaign to retain all ETVs in UK waters. It came on the back of a letter from UK Transport Minister Philip Hammond to the Leader of Highland Council Michael Foxley last week in which he indicated his willingness to consider a short extension to the contract for the ETV serving the Minches if he could satisfy himself that a credible proposal to secure funding for the ETV, from parties outside of his department, existed.