Government Joins Firefighting Talks

GOVERNMENT ministers have agreed to stage a top-level meeting to discuss concerns over firefighting arrangements for ships in UK waters. NUMAST has been invited to the talks, scheduled to take place early this month. Others involved in the discussions will include senior fire brigades officers, salvage experts and insurers, and the meeting will consider whether changes are needed to the 1947 legislation covering arrangements for firefighting operations at sea. General secretary Brian Orrell wrote to the government to highlight alarm at a recent salvage tribunal ruling that prevents fire authorities from recovering costs or claiming salvage for fighting fires on ships. There are concerns that the judgement could lead some brigades to withdraw from offshore firefighting activities.

NUMAST says the ruling highlights other evidence of ,serious inconsistencies' in arrangements for tackling shipboard fires around the UK coast. The Union has called for measures to tackle such issues as training and familiarisation. Shipping minister Keith Hill told the Union the government is taking the issue very seriously. 'Any development that might hinder the ability of salvors to respond promptly and effectively when shipping accidents occur off the UK coast' would obviously be a matter of concern to the government,' he added

Footnote: This meeting took place at the DETR, London on 9/12/1999.

Extract from NEWMAST Telegraph December 1999