To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list each occasion that his Department's surveyors have visited the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor to investigate the appearance of cracks in her hull; what course of action was ordered to be taken; and what was recorded as being the cause of such cracks; [36670](2) if he will list each occasion that a Lloyd's surveyor has visited the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor to investigate the appearance of cracks in her hull and to oversee or examine any repairs. [36668](3) on how many occasions the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor has had to have cracks in her hull welded. [36669]
These are operational matters for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, 16 October 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your three Questions about ATLANTIC CONVEYOR.
During the period in which ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was registered in the United Kingdom, surveyors from Lloyd's Register made 42 visits, beginning in 1985, in connection with the investigation of cracks in the hull structure. The cracks were repaired immediately either by welding or part renewal of the structure, or conditions of class were imposed on the vessel until permanent repairs could be effected within a defined period. The survey of the hull structure is a matter in which classification societies may act under delegated powers and surveyors from the Department of Transport have not visited ATLANTIC CONVEYOR to investigate the appearance of cracks.
It is not unusual for some vessels to suffer fracturing of this nature from time to time, particularly if they are exposed to heavy weather, as this vessel has been in North Atlantic trade. Provided that proper maintenance and repairs are carried out by the owners, and repairs to the ship are surveyed by the classification society in accordance with classification procedures, the safety of the vessel is not compromised. At the time of ATLANTIC CONVEYOR's transfer to the Bahamian flag in July 1995, there are no extant conditions of class relating to cracks and I understand there are none at present.