Shell Haven
Transport
Written answers and statements, 14 May 2004
Dr Bob Spink (Castle Point, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency report on the condition of SS Richard Montgomery, what the (a) timing and (b) frequency will be of further surveys of the main crack at the No. 2 Hatch.
Mr David Jamieson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Plymouth, Devonport, Labour)
Surveys are undertaken during optimal tidal and weather conditions. For visual inspections this is on Neap Tides during the summer months.
The survey of the SS Richard Montgomery is an evolving process which takes advantage of new technology and understanding. Diver surveys have been undertaken on approximately a decennial basis, with intervening sonar surveys to increase knowledge of the status of the wreck and surrounding area. It is not anticipated that another full visual diver survey of No. 2 Hatch area will be undertaken until 2013. However, if intervening surveys suggest a requirement to gather such information earlier, a visual survey would then be commissioned.