Changes to Coastguard Operations

[Rockahee]

I'm sure most people are aware of the ongoing MCGA "Consultation" regarding the rationalisation of the UK Coastguard Service. The proposal is to move from 18 MRCCs operating 24hrs to 2 (remote) Marine Operation Centres and 6 daytime only Subcentres.

Whilst the authors of the proposals have raised some positive recommendations to improve the current arrangements, the concerns raised by the public range from loss of local knowledge, limited night-time cover, loss of jobs and the complete lack of any risk assessments for an obvious costs-driven proposal. A big hole in the author's argument is the lack of differentiation between serious and minor incidents.

Under the proposals my own local coastguard MRCC at Holyhead (which is about 2nm from my launchsite) will close and be replaced by Belfast or Liverpool in daytime and Aberdeen or Solent at night!

Overseas contributors to the Forum may also be interested to know that they may not be imune form the infuence of this reform, as the proposals include the relocation of the international marine rescue coordination role from Falmouth.

Whilst I an sure the Association does not want to be associated with political lobbying, I urge each individual member to read the proposals at mcga.gov.uk, form their own opinion and respond accordingly.

It is also worth visiting petitiononline.com/ukcghq. Currently this has nearly 13,200 signatures.

Frankly I personally do not think this is a "done deal", but it needs the power of public opinion to correct its course, and if we are apathetic then we will have to accept the consequences. The deadline for responding is the closure date of the consultation period of 24th March.

I have initiated a similar discussion within the Drascombe Association and received some very interesting (and somewhat concerning) responses!

I'll leave it to you to form your own opinions. Please read the proposals if you have not done so already.