THERE is a lot of froth bubbling up anent ship-to-ship oil transfer. I write as a former tanker officer, albeit from long ago and I was on several occasions involved in oil transfer at sea. This process is little more hazardous than any other form of oil transfer.

The parameters must be set correctly – wind, sea state, tugs, standby vessel and so on – and, with competent seamen on the ships involved, the risk of disaster is minimal.

It is always possible there could be a minor spillage , a loose coupling or something of that sort, or a tank overflow; it can happen and I have experienced such events.

With the proper backup in place they can be promptly dealt with, with only minor environmental damage.

There are commercial advantages for the oil industry and, given that fact, there must also be some financial advantages either for the littoral communities or directly to the Scottish Government.

My general views are quite green, in fact, but green hysteria I do not do.

Captain R Mill Irving,

Station House, Station Road,

Gifford, East Lothian.