Sophie Long The Politics Show South West

Could this lead to oil spills?

Port Authorities in Falmouth are looking at plans which could see huge oil tankers moving oil from one vessel to another.

The Port Authority believes Falmouth could be well suited to this practice which is common place in other parts of the world.

If it gets the go ahead it would almost double the ports annual turn over, but environmental groups and local authorities say the risks of such activities in such an environmentally sensitive area are simply to high.

Falmouth is known for a beautiful coastline and nearby conservation areas which are home to many rare species of wildlife. But it is also a busy industrial port.

The docks are the towns biggest employer and the economic benefit of allowing ship to ship oil transfers is an opportunity the harbour authority says it simply cannot ignore.

This is what environmentalists fear. The Rose Bay shed thousands of gallons of crude oil in Torbay after her hull was hit by a trawler in broad daylight.

Some say we should have learned our lesson nearly 40 years ago when the Torrey Canyon spewed 70,000 tonnes of oil between Lands End and the Isles of Scilly.

Before any decision is made Falmouth Harbour Commissioners must have their Oil Spill Contingency Plan approved.

It is because of concerns over the Oil Spill Contingency Plan in Lyme Bay off the Devon Dorset Border that ship to ship oil transfers were stopped there 18 months ago, prompting companies to look else where.

Falmouth have made amendments to theirs in preparation.

They say the increased preparedness and apparatus that would be provided under the amended plan, would be beneficial in dealing with any future unforeseen emergencies that could happen with the shipping they receive anyway, which surely would be a good thing, not good enough though for Cornwall County Council.

But the council is just one of five statutory consultees, it will be the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) that makes the final decision.

They declined a request for an interview at this stage in the proceedings though they did issue a statement saying: "The MCA has been made aware of suggested proposals by the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.

"MCA and Department for Transport officials attended a meeting with English Nature and the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners where the proposed operation was discussed in broad terms.

"The MCA understand that a revised Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been sent to consultees.

"The MCA has not had sight of this plan."

This story of economics verses the environment is far from over. The question is whether Falmouth can allow one to prosper while protecting the other.

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