(Yet another) government study proposed for ETV

Tabnabs

I see that the Dept. of Transport has woken up to this idea. Obviously Defence still thinks we don't have enough fishery patrol boats...

Study on provision of an ETV and a review of Ireland's pollution prevention preparedness & response

Specification and Requirements of the RFT for a Study on the following for the Irish Coast Guard 2012

1. Examine the possibilities that may exist for the provision of an operational Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) or enhanced capacity for Ireland

2. Review Ireland’s current capabilities for casualty intervention, traffic awareness and pollution prevention, preparedness and response

1. Examine the possibilities on the provision of an ETV for Ireland with BP 200, including the purchase or lease price, ongoing running, oversight and maintenance costs and potential funding arrangements. The Eagle Lyon Pope Report of 2008 can be used as a basis for the Study*. Report required by 28th September 2012.

In considering an ETV specific attention should be given to:

a) Arrangements in other European countries that are Atlantic, North Sea or Baltic Sea facing. The report should consider the practical experience of these countries in their use of ETV’s in casualty intervention and pollution and casualty response;

b) The availability, positioning and capability of existing and proposed towing vessels or other vessels periodically or habitually in Irish waters to assist vessels in distress;

c) The availability, in emergencies, of expert salvage crews for the existing towage vessels or as casualty advice;

d) Assess the future requirement for, the value and impact of secondary duties, and the potential for shared roles, for example: fishery protection, vessel traffic management, customs, navigation safety, disaster response, booming, oil recovery and dispersants, SAR, Fire Fighting, commercial salvage, seabed mapping and marine resource investigation and Civil Hydrography activities. Assess the various additional roles for the ETV’s and the implications upon funding and costs, bearing in mind the need for prompt action when required under primary role.

e) Engage with potential third parties identified to access their requirements and implications upon funding.

f) Possible role for an ETV in light of increased oil/gas exploration and exploitation in the Irish exploration region.

g) Any forthcoming or proposed International Maritime Organization or European Commission requirements for ETV provision that will or may affect Ireland over the next 10 to 15 years - with the detailed implications fully explained.

h) Assess the range of costs and the various conditions for providing ETV capacity (private/public, new. Second-hand, conversions, equipment fit, daily running costs, outright purchase, long/medium term charter, Naval Service utility vessel, etc.) and any other strategies identified to improve Coast Guard capacity.

i) Assess the possibility of co-operation with other States for mutual assistance or joint projects including a realistic appraisal of possible UK/Irish joint share in an ETV.

2. Review Ireland’s current capabilities for traffic management, casualty intervention, pollution prevention, preparedness and response by updating the Eagle Lyon Pope Report of 2008* in this regard with particular reference to traffic volumes and a detailed risk and cost benefit analysis. The requirements of the 2008 Study still apply and are set out below. Also some additional requirements will apply that relate to developments in the interim and are included at the end. Report required 28th September 2012.

a) Carry out a full risk assessment/forecast of shipping accident and pollution potential (including danger and key areas) in the Irish EEZ by arriving and passing shipping.

b) Consider current and future traffic movements considering the cargo and bunker profiles and attendant risks and changes in vessel design, size and cargo capacity. This would include HNS, Container, LNG etc.

c) Consider the most up-to date information on the international trend in shipping casualties.

d) Consider powers under existing legislation in relation to dispersants and clean-up and waste disposal operations and highlight any potential deficiencies and possible remedies.

e) Assess the implications of significant clean-up costs together with the long-term environmental, economic and social costs associated with a major incident in producing a detailed cost/benefit analysis of the options proposed.

Having regard to the risks identified above to:

f) Evaluate the current measures in place to mitigate the risks, including the Coast Guard’s vessel management, casualty intervention and response structure, and capacity indicating any changes needed to meet international commitments and continuing national requirements for year round ship casualty intervention and environmental protection cover of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. (This should take account primarily of national measures but also consider support provided by EMSA and others)

g) Evaluate Irish position by reference to best international practice, with particular reference to EU and Bonn Agreement States.

h) Produce a Report that identifies, and ranks on a value for money basis, additional primary or secondary measures that should be put in place nationally.

The following additional requirements will also apply;

1) The removal of the United Kingdom’s chain of Emergency Towing Vessels

2) The potential effect of the opening of the Northeast trade route all year round over the next 20 years

3) The increase in offshore energy exploration and production including wave energy

4) Increased wave height in the northeast Atlantic

5) Lessons learnt from the Deepwater Horizon incident in the USA

6) The National Maritime Surveillance project chaired by this Department

7) The implementation of SI 573/2010 concerning the European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2010 including Places of Refuge & the EU Directive 2002/59 on VTMIS

8) The creation of a National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC)

9) Changes in passing shipping traffic

10) Government Value for Money review (Fishers Report)*

11) Taking into account work completed or underway as a result of the ELP

Report 2008*

12) Draft OECD Report 2010 (Ireland’s Environmental Review)

*These Reports can be obtained from the Coast Guard subject to confidentiality requirements being forthcoming from interested tenderers.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders Web Site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=446552.

goldie fish

Irish Coast Guard have been nibbling at this one for a while. NS seem uninterested, as their current priority is to replace the 40 year old OPVs, and the DoD hasn't made an ETV a priority for them.
The key issue though will be the absence of the UK ETV fleet.

who the fug

Why do we need a dedicated vessel, have a look here at Svitzer coverage.

Never under stood why we had two in the UK, given the fleet in the North Sea, and historically the salvage companies kept a tug on standby in the South West.

Morpheus

Naval Service are more interested in getting their hands on more OPV's and an EPV (Extended Patrol Vessel). This is most likely a CG role.

Tabnabs

Morphéus wrote: »

Naval Service are more interested in getting their hands on more OPV's and an EPV (Extended Patrol Vessel). This is most likely a CG role.

TBH, I don't see the distinction quite so clearly any more. Seeing as our CG is purely civilian and has no significant assets, then the INS are missing a trick here IMHO. Looking at the Norwegian and Icelandic ships, there is plenty of scope to provide a ship that covers many bases and provides more ship for the taxpayers €. These ships are more seaworthy and can have a range equal to any OPV or EPV. Heli deck, deep sea small boat launching and recovery, armament, SAR, towing, pollution control, RAS. The list is enviable.

Morpheus

Maybe you are right, but weve already seen what buying one type to do it all has produced for the defence forces in the past. problematic dauphins that were jack of all trades but masters of none for one and a shortlived maritime seaborne air capability as a result.

They should send in specs for OPV, EPV AND ETV if they deem they can get the role. I for one would love to see it ALL come under the aegis of NS. we have customs vessels (I think we have small CG vessels?) and also RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager. seems like we have a lot of public service marine and maritime organisations with vessels anyway that should surely all be centralised under one maritime authority!? Im not a salty though so please do correct me if im way off.

Tabnabs

I think putting them all under the auspices of the INS would be a bad decision. The INS simply don't have the experience or the expertise to run non military roles successfully (with the exception of the two Customs launches).

For true ETV operations they would need civilian input also. But not a problem as there are many Irish officers and deck crew currently doing this kind of work day in, day out.

In terms of jack of all trades, master on none, this class of ship has been doing these jobs for decades now and have a proven track record. Yes, there would be limitations, but it may well be that the crew capability and knowledge would be the weak link in any chain.

In reality though, I see the CG/Dept of Transport teaming up with UK and French maritime authorities and sharing out this work between them. They are probably all pushing for an EU Directive as we speak

nimak

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/79307021#Comment_79307021

You can try resolve marine