Trevor Sargent
Question:108 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if he will publish the Davis report on the mv Norrona; and the recommendations of the NFSC on the incident.
Written Answers. - Davis Report on the mv Norrona.
The incident on the passenger vessel mv Norrona occurred on 9 April 1990. The vessel was Danish registered and the incident occurred in British waters. Responsibility for the holding of investigations into the incident was a matter for the Danish and British authorities. However, as the vessel was on charter to the B & I Line at the time the Minister for the Marine appointed Capt. Davies, a Marine Surveyor of the Department to report to him on the incident from the point of view of maritime safety. Capt. Davies's report was prepared in co-operation with the B & I Line. In compiling his report Capt. Davies took statements on a confidential basis from crew members and others. This procedure was in accordance with the longstanding policy of non-publication of reports of investigations into marine incidents at that time. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to publish Capt. Davies report.
The recommendations made by Capt, Davies in his report on the mv Norrona were considered by the National Ferry Safety Committee with a view to improving safety procedures on board ferries and to avoid recurrence of a further such incident.
The recommendations, which have been implemented, relate to staff training in emergency procedures, regular holding of fire drills, improved fire detection and fire-fighting equipment and emergency evacuation procedures.