Port chief dismisses LNG captains fears (From Milford Mercury)

Port chief dismisses LNG captains fears

10:34am Thursday 8th March 2007

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FEARS expressed by an anonymous captain of an LNG vessel are being dismissed by the port chief.

The memo was passed to Plaid Cymru candidate John Osmond who revealed it exclusively to the Mercury.

It details 12 events that the author believes could lead to LNG leaking from a vessel moored at the jetty such as engine failure, a fire or a terrorist attack.

The memo goes on to say that a quantitative risk assessment that looks at these aspects is vital and if it has been carried out the findings must be made public.

Milford Haven Port Authority chief executive, Ted Sangster, said: "John Osmond informed us six months ago of the views of the unnamed LNG master, and we invited him at the time to reveal who he was so that we could invite him in to talk to us. Mr Osmond declined to do so, and so we repeat that invitation.

"We are concerned that an LNG master can be under the impression that his list of 12 scenarios is comprehensive. They are but some of the huge number of issues, scenarios and situations covered in the risk assessments we have undertaken or had sight of."

He went on to say: "It is worrying that someone with John Osmond's political aspirations can so fundamentally misunderstand information that has been given to him. The authority has, over a number of briefings and exchanges with him, explained the background and the facts as regards risk assessments.

"Mr Osmond has been clearly told that South Hook has carried out a risk assessment of the kind he is calling for; he has been told that the Port Authority has seen it and taken its conclusions on board. He has also been told that whether or not that risk assessment is in the public domain is a question he will have to direct to South Hook LNG."

Mr Sangster added that MHPA is confident that LNG shipping can be handled safely and efficiently in the port from the end of 2007.

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