What is fuelling supply debate?

Should it be considered to be unsafe, how come that commercial boats, fishing boats and large private yachts will still be able to refuel by tanker 'over the wall'? Surely if the practice is unsafe in one harbour it must be unsafe in the other harbour. Or is it a case of sour grapes on behalf of a certain marine trader who would like to install his own set of pumps, thus forcing boatowners to buy their fuel from him at a price greater than that for fuel delivered direct from the tanker?

Or possibly is it a case of so many people employed behind the scenes in the harbour office that they must be found something to do to fill their time – and health and safety, as we have seen to our cost already this year around the harbour, is a sure-fire winner.

Guernsey is fast becoming over-governed and over-regulated to protect all of us from ourselves.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD

Editor's footnote: Boatworks+ technical director Ben Mahy replies:

'This is an issue for the Guernsey harbour authority, however, some of the existing practices for pleasure vessel fuelling are not regarded to be in line with UK best practice for the avoidance of fire and pollution risks.

'The distinction with commercial vessels is that they are professionally equipped, professionally crewed, licensed and insured to receive fuel in a commercial manner.'

Harbour master Captain Chad Murray replies:

'It is not entirely clear what has prompted your correspondent's letter, but I presume it is the recent announcement regarding the review of the local marine fuel market ('Boat refuelling concerns at St Sampson's lead to a review of fuel supply', 15 August). The focus of that review is not health and safety. The current refuelling operations are all approved and subject to procedures to ensure they meet requirements for safe practice and environmental protection.

'The current review follows concerns regarding 'over the wall' operations at St Sampson's, not from a safety perspective but in terms of the potential impact this might be having on the viability of retail supplies of marine fuel. The majority of local boatowners, not to mention many hundreds of visiting vessels, rely on that retail provision. It is therefore very important for Guernsey Harbours' customers, so we are engaging with fuel suppliers and other interested parties.

'The aim is simply to ensure the correct balance between competition in the marine fuel market and the commercial viability of suppliers so that boatowners have a secure, convenient supply at reasonable prices.'