A Day Out At The Coast Could Cost You Your Life Under Government Plans
Despite the claimed aim of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency according to their website being:
“……. to be a world-class organisation that is committed to preventing loss of life, continuously improving maritime safety, and protecting the marine environment: Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas.”
the coalition governments plan to axe 10 of the UK’s 19 Coastguard stations, including those at Holyhead, Liverpool and/or Belfast.
Under the title of ‘Modernising The Coastguard’ which is no more than a way of cutting the service provision and cost, the Government has put its plans out to consultation.
However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been challenged by PCS to prove its plans to cut coastguard stations would not put lives at risk.
The union has called on agency bosses to run a live test of its proposed centralised control system before its consultation about closing 10 of the UK’s 19 stations ends on 24 March.
The MCA announced the closure plans in December, saying centres in Solent and Aberdeen would be expanded.
The union, which represents 750 staff in the agency, has serious concerns about the loss of local knowledge and says ensuring proper emergency cover for our coastlines is vital.
So far, 77 MPs have signed a parliamentary motion opposing the planned cuts, including four Tories and 10 Liberal Democrats. Lib Dem opponents include current president Tim Farron and former leader Menzies Campbell.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said:
“These cuts could literally be a matter of life and death. We are deeply concerned that closing these stations would leave our coastlines a more dangerous place to be. If the MCA and the government are confident in their assertion that the cuts won’t cost lives, they should be prepared to put it to the test. Without that, people will rightly conclude that officials and ministers haven’t successfully made their case and the consultation should be stopped.”
Jeremy Gautrey, PCS negotiations officer for the MCA, said: "What is clear from talking to coastguards from Shetland down to Falmouth is the level of anger among staff that these proposals have been drawn up with no consultation with operational coastguards or having been trialed in a live situation to test their resiliance."
No assessment of the additional response time required to reach an emergency situation and save the lives of those involved has been made. In a recent TV news item, a victim who was stranded on a beach with one foot jammed between rocks as the tide was coming in, said it took 20 minutes to reach him via helicopter. That was considered a fast response using today's existing coastal infrastructure. Cutting the service operation centres will increase response time, risk errors due to loss of local knowledge and could ultimately cost the life of someone in a similar situation.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Government will take up the PCS challenge or simply rely on the usual media sound bite of "We will set up an enquiry and lessons will be learnt!" following needless loss of life as they promise that further deaths will not occur.
Source: PCS
