Carry on from last nights assessment of vessel movements by the MCA: It seems that the MCA don’t agree with the Port’s assessment that vessel traffic would increase by 13% due to STS – 576 discrete vessel movements, as a minimum.

More from the MCA notes: A lot of vessel movements with the SAC then. This doesn’t even consider that there will probably actually be a third tanker present along with associated vessel movements. The Moray Firth will be busy if this goes ahead.

Another from the MCA:   Increased ship movement, increased risk of collision with other  vessels and marine life……  

Another from the MCA comments: – that should be COMPOUNDS and not CARBONS i.e VOC’s – the effect most definitely has not even been remotely considered – evidence is elusive? Plenty coming out of the aftermath of Deepwater Horizon – of course if the evidence is not there, the precautionary principle should always be adopted, […]

Carrying on with the MCA theme – this really says it all – the CFPA have completely failed to recognise the importance of the area for bottlenose dolphins and assess the risk – can they be trusted to look after our environment if they don’t understand it in the first place?

Carrying on with the MCA notes on the 2105 application: OK – that’s straightforward – because the STS proposal is within a European designated site and there is potential to affect the interests of the site, an Appropriate Assessment is required. The information to inform the Appropriate Assessment is usually produced by the consultants although […]

Next from the MCA’s notes on the 2015 application: Another good point – however if you do the sums – (see http://www.cfpa.co.uk/Port-Activities/Information-Sheets/Consultation-Rates-and-Charges-2017.aspx?viewmode=2&lang=en-GB ) STS at anchor will be charged at 6.3p per tonne per tanker – so at total of 12.6p per tonne per transferred. In order to generate the income that the CFPA say they will […]

Next from the MCA: Interesting comment – so what are the fully range of oils that are intended to be transferred??

Carrying on with the MCA’s notes on the 2015 application: Difficult to assess the impact if you don’t know what’s there in the first place!