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April 23, 2005
Another oil tanker respect our demands
Today we contacted the Norwegian oil tanker Bregen on its way from Murmansk to Europe with 13.000 tonnes of oil.
After an hour of negotiations and explanation of the need to protect this sensitive coastline, also this tanker chose to follow our request to stay further off the Lofoten coastline, even though this is not yet required by law.
The recent developments show that it is completely possible to enforce sailing lines further off the coast, and that the tanker captains accept and understand the reason for this need.
According to Norwegian radio journalists, the Fisheries Minister Svein Ludvigsen, who is responsible for coastal transport, refused to comment on the issue of coastal safety and tanker traffic. He has insisted that the coastal safety is good as it is. This is a view that is not shared by the members of the public in the Lofoten area that we have been in touch with. Also the Norwegian Fisheries Union demands oil traffic to pass further out from the coastline, to avoid oil pollution and reduce risk of collision with fishing vessels.
From April 1, the Norwegian Government reduced the tugboat capacity from three to two vessels covering the entire 1500 km coastline from Lofoten to the Russian border. This is far less than the minimum estimate from the coastal authority as long as the traffic is allowed to pass as close to shore as only 12 nautical miles.
Posted by Irene at April 23, 2005 10:53 AM
Comments
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Posted by: joao soares at April 23, 2005 11:29 PM
Hey, it is good to read, that Captain's of the tankers are understanding the problem and are willing to change their course in order to keep the safe distance! How long you think you will be patrolling in this area? What happens when you leave? Regards, Dan
Posted by: Dan at April 25, 2005 2:55 PM
Unfortunately we have to leave this area, but we hope our activities have highlighted the problem, and that the Norwegian government will take their responsability and move dangerous shipments further off the coast. Until international regulation is in place, the Government should use the Norwegian Coastguard to contact passing ships and urge dangerous traffic to go further out.
We will of course continue to work on this issue here in Norway, although our ship has to move on to another campaign.
Thankyou for your support Dan!
Posted by: Iréne at April 25, 2005 3:56 PM