By an amendment adopted with 315 votes in favour, 183 against and 6 abstentions, the European Parliament, meeting in plenary session on 23 September, asked for the setting up of a temporary commission to investigate the causes and consequences of the disaster of the oil tanker Prestige, which sank in November 2002. The commission would have the task of evaluating maritime safety standards and compliance with EU legislation. The EP “acknowledges the efforts being made by the Spanish authorities, but deplores the fact that, almost a year after the accident, the shipwreck which still contains over 14,000 tons of crude oil is still spilling oil”. The MEPs ask the European Council, the European Commission and the European Agency for maritime safety to assist the Spanish authorities with all the available technical resources to stop the spillage and recover the wreckage”. The member states are called to furnish the necessary resources to conduct controls and increase the number of inspectors. The creation of a European coastguard service, endowed with the necessary powers and facilities to ensure strict surveillance of shipping, was also requested.
