To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the action his Department proposes to take as a result of the recent collision in the English channel off Ramsgate between the tanker Darya Kamal and the F3 Lanby buoy.

The marine accident investigation branch—MAIB—obtained a written report from the master pertaining to the incident. The report was received on 30 January. After discussion with Trinity House, the MAIB decided that no further action needed to be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department proposes to take in the light of recent collisions in the English channel to ensure that proper bridge watch keeping and manning levels exist on all ships using the English channel separation lanes inside or outside British territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.

The English channel and the Dover strait are an international waterway and rights of innocent passage exist so that the United Kingdom has no powers to board these ships while in transit. Ship movements are continuously monitored to verify compliance with traffic separation schemes. Apparent contraventions of the collision regulations are followed up with a view to prosecution by the United Kingdom or flag state as appropriate. Manning levels are checked during port state control inspections and the inspectors are empowered to detain any vessel where the manning is deficient.