News / In brief for 14 October 2010
Drilling probe
THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed to overhaul and tighten the rules governing the offshore oil and gas industry.
The move comes in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest oil spill ever.
On Wednesday, the EC said that while safety standards in Europe were among the highest in the world, a comprehensive overhaul of existing legislation would further improve the safety regime.
The commission hopes to make recommendations in the new year with key issues expected to focus on bringing in coherent standards on liability, drilling permits, super vision and technical safety standards.
Violet stingray
A FEMALE violet stingray, normally found in far warmer climes, has been caught in the waters off Shetland for the first time.
The 112 centimetre long stingray was caught by the local whitefish boat Guardian Angell near Whalfirth, off the island of Yell, earlier this month.
The crew of the whitefish boat had to handle their unusual catch with great care because the violet stingray has a large poisonous barb in its whip-like tail.
The fish was donated to the NAFC Marine Centre, in Scalloway, whose researcher said they were delighted with the unusual gift.
Peerie pier still being used
COUNCILLORS in Shetland have instructed officials to check the authority’s insurance and liability status should a disintegrating pier damage boats using the structure to tie up.
The council’s harbour board heard on Wednesday that the Peerie Dock, in Symbister on the island of Whalsay, was still being used by up to ten boats despite parts of it being cordoned off.
Earlier this year, the board mothballed plans to restore the pier at a cost of almost £1 million when it became clear that the funding for the project could not be found.
“Board chairman Alastair Cooper said: 2the dock is still open, but areas are cordoned off. The thing is collapsing and we don’t have the money to fix it.”
800 without power
AROUND 800 properties in the north and east of Shetland lost their electricity for an hour on Wednesday morning due to a damaged pole in the Laxo area.
A spokes woman for Scottish and Southern Energy said the majority of their customers were re-connected within the hour, but a handful of household suffered longer disruptions while repairs were ongoing.
The spokeswoman apologised for the inconvenience.
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