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<p>The fishing vessel <em>Louisa</em> sank off the Scottish coast on 9 April 2016.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is seeking to raise the vessel as
part of its investigation to establish the causes and circumstances of the accident.</p><p>
</p><p>The Department’s procurement experts have independently reviewed the processes
undertaken by the MAIB in awarding the contract to recover the <em>Louisa</em>. It
is clear from that review that the MAIB’s evaluation team followed the process as
set out in the tender document and in a fair and transparent manner. I am therefore
satisfied that there are no grounds for the procurement process to be suspended.</p><p>
</p><p>This sinking resulted in the deaths of three fishermen and the vessel should
be recovered as soon as possible to give the investigation team the strongest possibility
of understanding the reasons why this tragic accident occurred.</p>
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