MSP Concerned with Proposed Coastguard Cuts

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has voiced his concerns over the plans announced by the UK Government – which could see Scotland left with only one coastguard station manned 24 hours a day.

The Department of Transport have announced a consultation on modernisation of Coastguard Services proposing the establishment of one Maritime Operations Centres, located at Aberdeen, with a sub-centre based in either Stornoway or Shetland operating during daylight hours. In all, the proposals from the UK Government will see the number of maritime co-ordination centres cut from 18 to 8.

Mr McMillan said;

"These cuts being proposed by the UK Government put saving money ahead of saving lives, and are a totally irresponsible step.

"The scale of these cuts seems entirely arbitrary and it is outrageous that the UK Government has tried to sneak out this announcement, which could have a major consequences in terms of jobs and maritime cover, especially in the Inverclyde area where we have the Clyde Coastguard (Clyde MRCC) based at the Navy Buildings in Greenock.

"I have written numerous letters to the previous Labour UK Government and have also written to the present Con/Dem coalition over their proposals for Navy Buildings in Greenock but the response I have received every time has been less than satisfactory. They seem to be invoking delay tactics on making a decision about the Navy Buildings.

"It's vital the UK Government listen to the many concerns which are being voiced about these proposed cuts and think twice about implementing them as it will have serious consequences for safety and jobs."

Scottish Parliamentary motion by Stuart McMillan MSP;

S3M-07619.1 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Coastguard Centre Cuts— As an amendment to motion S3M-7619 in the name of Alasdair Allan (Coastguard Centre Cuts), insert at end ", and considers that the proposed reduction in coastguard centres will have a direct impact on maritime safety on the River Clyde, where the Clyde Coastguard is currently based at the Navy Buildings in Inverclyde, and that any cuts will thus have a detrimental effect on the local economy and employment”.

Short Title: Coastguard Centre Cuts

S3M-07619 Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): That the Parliament notes with concern the public consultation document launched by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that envisages what are believed to be drastic reductions in the number of maritime operations centres in the United Kingdom; notes that the proposed reductions would leave only two 24-hour centres operating, based in Aberdeen and in Southampton/Portsmouth; further notes that these would be supported by seven sub-centres and only one would be in Scotland at either Shetland or Stornoway; notes that this would result in the five operations centres in Scotland being reduced to two; believes that this raises serious questions about the future operation of the coastguard given that centres will now be covering what it considers to be such huge areas and that this has clear implications for many members of staff, *and believes that these proposals require to be rethought.*

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