BLUEMOMENT

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ETV (Emergency Towing Vessel) cover is to be withdrawn from the Minches and Shetland in fourteen days time because the government has deemed the £8m a year cost (which includes two vessels on the South Coast) 'bad value'.

The tugs were put in place after the Braer disaster in 1993. The costs of a single serious incident could wipe out the £8m savings at a stroke.

BBC report

I'll just go and cancel my house insurance since said house hasn't burned down in the last 20 years

Same logic, is it not ? ?

Rowana wrote:I'll just go and cancel my house insurance since said house hasn't burned down in the last 20 years

Same logic, is it not ? ?

You should obviously be in gubbermint . . .

The phrase "what a shower o eejits" does come to mind...

"The costs of a single serious incident could wipe out the £8m savings at a stroke."

but would there be one of these each year?
Ignoring inflation that might have cost, since 1993, £144million?

mm5aho wrote:"The costs of a single serious incident could wipe out the £8m savings at a stroke."

but would there be one of these each year?
Ignoring inflation that might have cost, since 1993, £144million?

The cost of the Exxon Valdez cleanup was $3 billion

The cost of the Prestige cleanup was $2.5 billion

How many years at £8 million would one of those pay for?

- W

Nick wrote: The cost of the Exxon Valdez cleanup was $3 billion

There is some pretty good evidence, though, that these mind-blowingly expensive clean ups do more harm than good - more harm than the spill did in the first place. After the Braer, for example, one good winter storm basically cleaned everything up far less destructively than steam jets which (a) get rid of the oil and (b) sterilise everything they touch.

ubergeekian wrote:

Nick wrote: The cost of the Exxon Valdez cleanup was $3 billion

There is some pretty good evidence, though, that these mind-blowingly expensive clean ups do more harm than good - more harm than the spill did in the first place. After the Braer, for example, one good winter storm basically cleaned everything up far less destructively than steam jets which (a) get rid of the oil and (b) sterilise everything they touch.

It depends on the oil, the quantity and the location. In any event, I would like tol see your 'pretty good evidence - references please.

I am not sure I get your point though - are you saying we should just let tankers go aground and burst open then do nothing rather than station emergency vessels iin positions which might prevent this?

Rather a weak argument IMO.

- W

ubergeekian wrote:Edit: Nah, stuff it. I'm sick of on line arguments.

Don't start them then

mm5aho wrote:"The costs of a single serious incident could wipe out the £8m savings at a stroke."

but would there be one of these each year?
Ignoring inflation that might have cost, since 1993, £144million?

Exactly
It's hardly likely to happen again.....is it?

claymore wrote: It's hardly likely to happen again.....is it?

One should always be wary of preparations for fighting the previous war.

ubergeekian wrote:After the Braer, for example, one good winter storm basically cleaned everything up...........

Yes. I don't know why that has to be the subject of an argument.

Shard wrote:

ubergeekian wrote:After the Braer, for example, one good winter storm basically cleaned everything up...........

Yes. I don't know why that has to be the subject of an argument.

Obviously the OP thinks letting drifting tankers go aground and break up is the best course of action, so no need for the ETVs.

Nick wrote: Obviously the OP thinks letting drifting tankers go aground and break up is the best course of action, so no need for the ETVs.

Errm, no, Nick, Ian's not saying that at all; I think he is suggesting that there are situations where the stuff can disperse without the use of Fairy Liquid and all the damage that that can cause. I don't think it was he who was looking for an argument, just making an observation based on the case of the Braer.

Anyway, I thought you were the OP

This is all becoming too much for me........