Tighter shipping rules for Scilly

There may be strict new rules introduced to protect Scilly’s coastline.

Transport minister David Jamieson has said that new steps have been taken to tighten laws for boats carrying harmful cargo near the South West coast.

This comes after the Mulheim wreck, which went aground new Sennen. The clear up operation cost millions of pounds.

The Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, told the Western Morning News: “We are having much stricter routine measures, particularly round Land’s End and the Isles of Scilly to make sure the ships are in the lanes and routes we want.

“When you look at the amount of shipping that goes past the Western Approaches we’ve really had very few calamities. But that of course is no reason for complacency.

“That’s why we are working not just with the EU but with the International Maritime Organisation to bring in stricter and stricter controls over our coast.”

Scilly last saw a Shipwreck in spring 1997 when the Cita ran aground and sank off St Mary’s.