The GSD notes the open letter published by the Environmental Safety Group regarding the collisions close to Gibraltar, the one involving the nuclear submarine HMS Ambush and the other a Vemaoil bunkering vessel.

A spokesman for the GSD said that while the outcome of the events has seemed only to result in minor damage to the vessels, the potential severity of these incidents both to public safety and the environment, considering the nature of the vessels involved, cannot be ignored and lessons must be learned. With the likelihood of an increase of LNG storage vessels anchoring in the Bay with the advent of the LNG storage facility, the public must be assured that there is no increasing risk from these port operations.

Trevor Hammond, GSD Spokesman for the environment, said: "It is right that the ESG should ask questions of the Captain of the Port as to how these events, which only providence prevented from being much more severe, occurred.

"We would seek assurances from the Minister for the Port that independent investigations into port procedures is underway and ask the Minister, who is conducting that investigation?

"We would further request that the outcome of these investigations be made public in order that it can be seen what were the failings that led to these seroius incidents and what remedies have been put in place. The outcomes of such investigations would be public in the United Kingdom and we expect this to be the case for Gibraltar too."

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