1. To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to the investigation into the capsizing of the tugboat, MV Biter, on the River Clyde on 24 February. (S6T-01218)

I begin by extending my sincere sympathies and condolences and those of the Scottish Government as a whole to the families and friends who have lost loved ones in this tragic incident. I also put on record my thanks to the first responders on the scene for their actions during the incident.

I know that the community will be in shock and that a lot of people will wish to understand what happened, most of all those who are mourning.

The investigation of marine incidents involving the loss of vessels is a reserved matter and is led by the marine accident investigation branch of the United Kingdom Department for Transport. The branch is currently investigating the cause of the capsizing of MV Biter. Meanwhile, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is supporting the port authority to deal with any salvage and counter-pollution response. Scottish Government officials have been advising the Maritime and Coastguard Agency with respect to any potential environmental impacts. Although Scottish Government officials have not been asked to support the marine accident investigation branch and its investigatory work—as routine, we would not be expected to do so—the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands and I have asked our officials to keep us very much up to date with all relevant developments. On behalf of the Scottish Government, I give a commitment to offer any support that we can.

I put on record my condolences to the families affected by the incident and thank the emergency services for their swift response on Friday.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the Scottish Government will provide any assistance required to help with the recovery of the vessel?

I should say that I am grateful to Stuart McMillan for raising the issue—I know that he will be deeply involved with it in his Constituency.

As I said, Scottish Government officials have been advising the Maritime and Coastguard Agency with respect to any environmental impacts. In turn, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is supporting the port authority as it works on counter-pollution and is providing support for any recovery attempts.

As I noted in my previous answer, that is all happening while the marine accident investigation branch of the Department for Transport is investigating the capsizing. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands and I will be keeping closely abreast of the matter, and I reiterate that the Scottish Government will give all the support that it can offer.

The

Minister touched on the shock. The community is deeply shocked by the tragedy and has many questions about how it happened. Hopefully, that is what the investigations will uncover in the months ahead.

Does the minister acknowledge the excellent network of third sector organisations in Inverclyde that have been providing emotional support and a safe space for people? That will be all the more important to my constituents and my community in the weeks and months ahead, as the community comes to terms with the tragedy.

A bsolutely. Stuart McMillan makes an excellent point. On behalf of the Government, I once again acknowledge the work of first responders in response to this tragic accident. I equally acknowledge the work of volunteers and the third sector, as highlighted by Stuart McMillan. I thank everybody involved for their efforts at this difficult time. I know that those efforts will be on-going in the community. As well as offering updates on the matter and any support that the Scottish Government can provide, I will keep in touch with Stuart McMillan about any offers of help or support that the Scottish Government can give him in his Constituency role.

There is little to add by way of condolence to what other members have already said. Members on the Conservative benches certainly pass on our sympathies and thoughts to all those affected by the tragedy off the shores of Greenock last week, which brought back very painful memories of the similar tragedy in 2007. I know that the community will pull together in the circumstances.

In addition to the third sector support that is on offer to people in the community, what specific or direct immediate support could Scottish Government agencies offer the families, friends and colleagues of the two crewmen who were sadly lost?

Jamie Greene is quite right to reiterate those points. The Scottish Government will be very happy to offer support to the families and friends, who are now mourning, and, indeed, to the support networks around them—they will be critical in the following days.

We are still at a sensitive point. Police Scotland has not yet formally released the identity of the individuals, although their families have been notified. Once we get past that formality in the process, I will be glad to consider how we can support the families and the folks who will be supporting them.

On behalf of members on the Labour benches, I associate myself with the comments of Stuart McMillan and Jamie Greene on the tragedy in Greenock on Friday. I spent yesterday at the Port Glasgow New parish church, where a space for reflection had been provided to local people to ensure that they could have time to channel the palpable sense of grief in the local community.

How will the Minister ensure that messages about marine safety, which will ensure that local people have confidence in what is happening on the river, get out and about in a community that is as close-knit as Greenock?

Paul O’Kane’s use of the expression “palpable sense of grief” is absolutely right and accurately depicts how the community will be feeling.

The Scottish Government is very keen to allow the marine accident investigation branch, which is part of the Department for Transport, the space to do the work that it needs to do on investigating the capsizing.

We see the work on the ground of supporting the community—and those who will support the community—as something that we can be involved with. I extend to Paul O’Kane the offer that I made to Stuart McMillan: he should let me know how he thinks that we can best do that. I would be happy to consider any and all offers of support.