One year ago, the Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA) applied for a licence to carry out 48 ship to ship transfers per year very close to Sites of Special Scientific Interest and waters where bottlenose dolphins are regularly found.
KIMO UK felt that the application failed to adequately address the risks from the from the frequent execution of an inherently risky operation and urged that the applicant carried out a proper assessment that would give confidence that the residual risk will be tolerable to stakeholders.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency acknowledged our concerns with the potential impacts that may emerge if the application were to be approved and identified a number of areas in the application as “needing additional thought”. As a result of this, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has agreed a package of work with the CFPA.
In the meantime, the CFPA has been directed to withdraw its application and resubmit when the work is complete.
KIMO UK awaits the new application with anticipation and will respond as appropriate.
Graham Humphries
National Coordinator
KIMO UK