Tourism and Port Minister Joe Holliday's recent announcement at an international cruise conference that gaming would be permitted on visiting cruise ships while these are docked in Gibraltar

Tourism and Port Minister Joe Holliday's recent announcement at an international cruise conference that gaming would be permitted on visiting cruise ships while these are docked in Gibraltar is patently a move to tempt visiting floating hotels to extend their stays here. In theory the thousands of passengers staying for longer would benefit the Rock's economy. Local legislation in many cruise ports ban ship-board gambling and force the closure of on-board casinos while vessels are in port.

But as with so many of Holliday's ploys, this was both another pipe dream, remember the eight airlines clamouring to open routes to the Rock or the ten luxury hotels announced half a decade ago?  and a smoke-screen …to obscure Gibraltar's tarnished reputation as an attractive port to visit.

In less than a month two serious incidents  - both potentially life-threatening have undermined Gibraltar's reputation as a major league port on the Mediterranean cruise calendar. A cargo vessel carrying 600 tons of explosives was allowed into the harbour after it had been bought cheaply by a local company  and swiftly put to sea again after VOX exposed its presence.

Both incidents raise questions about the Government's competence to manage effectively what is one of Gibraltar's pivotal economic resources. For our port is not only the focus  of visiting cruise ships, it remains the major bunkering facility at the western end of the Mediterranean, and also handles significant volumes of cargo. Tourism and shipping contribute more than half of the Rock's GDP and the port's success is vital to both.

And though this aspect of the costly damage to the sullage plant and adjacent cruise quay both physical and to the port's reputation may not fall within the brief of the internal and external official enquiries into the disaster, there is a strong argument that this, too, should be examined.

The investigation into the sullage tank explosion and fire and the injuries this caused will be investigated locally by the widely-respected Chief Technical Officer Michael Gil; and this is to be supported by the UK-based Capita Symons which is a highly- experienced specialist in this field.

However there has been no official indication of the parameters of the enquiries and how widely the investigative net will be spread. If, as some suspect, Gil's investigations are limited by the authorities, though Gil's integrity will not and should not be questioned, the findings could reflect the Government and port authorities in a better light than deserved.

The timing of the release of the results of the investigation may also be significant. Will these be released before or after the General Election?

In the weeks since the sullage tank fire and explosion, several disturbing allegations have emerged. These will underline doubts as to the Government's competence in preparing for such an eventuality and  it is hoped will raise questions at the two official enquiries into the disaster.

Reports reaching VOX indicate that some months ago a Royal Naval tug which had been based here - and at present berthed at the port - was decommissioned. But the Caruana Government made no attempt to retain its services in Gibraltar. Yet this tug had the equipment and 12 tonnes of foam designed specifically to combat any sort of marine oil fire.

(Since then the Government has announced plans to ensure adequate stocks of foam are always available. Surely another  example of the GSD closing the stable after the horse has bolted?)

Was it a lack of foresight or the leanness of the Government's purse - reduced by unnecessary expenditure on ventures such as the airport - that influenced Caruana's or Holliday's decision. Hopefully one or other of the enquiries will ask these questions and establish the facts.

There are reports, too, that when the Spanish tug Luz de Mar offered assistance the authorities declined immediate help  and the boat waited in the Bay for more than two hours until it was allowed to take part... despite the fact that it was the only vessel with appropriate fire-fighting equipment.

And, despite the Government's dismissal of the wasted time factor, the enquiries should also examine this aspect.

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