WRITTEN QUESTION E-0880/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Sea transport: European accident.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/69 (2001/C 46 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0880/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Sea transport: European accident (22 March 2000) Two European vessels ü the Zafir and Espresso Catania, recently collided in Italian waters, for reasons as yet unelucidated; the Zafir sank and 10 of its crew lost their lives, their corpses remaining on board the wreck which is lying at a depth of some 400 metres. Has the Commission taken any steps to elucidate a tragedy which yet again involves maritime safety in European waters, European vessels and the lives of European citizens? What action has been taken? Is whatever action which may be taken by the Member States concerned being coordinated at Member State level? As far as recovery of the bodies of the men lost is concerned which their families are demanding, with every reason, the passive attitude displayed both by the European institutions and the Member States concerned is deplorable. What urgent measures has the Commission considered taking to resolve this tragic situation? What measures does the Commission think should be taken to ensure that such occurrences do not happen again? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (2 May 2000) Like the Honourable Member, the Commission learned through the press that the cargo vessel Zafir had been lost off the coast of Calabria, Italy. It regrets the terrible consequences of the sinking and the irreparable loss of human life, and extends its sympathy to the families of the victims. As regards the causes of the accident, it is necessary to wait for the results of the enquiry being conducted by the Italian authorities. The Commission must emphasise that rescues at sea do not fall within its jurisdiction, which is why the authorities involved in following up the accident have not sought its assistance. To prevent similar accidents occurring in future, the Commission adopted a communication on 21 March 2000 on the safety of the seaborne oil trade (1), which proposes a series of immediate and longer-term measures. To start with, the inspection of ships calling at Community ports is to be stepped up, and vessels failing to meet standards are to be dealt with strictly. Classification societies are to be monitored more fully. The Commission is also proposing to ban single-hull oil tankers from Community waters, following a timetable similar to that adopted in the United States. Subsequently, the Commission plans to make further proposals regarding systematic exchange of informa- tion between all the actors in the shipping community, improved surveillance of navigation, the creation of a European body for maritime safety and measures concerning the liability of the various players in the seaborne oil trade. (1) COM(2000) 142 final