Coastguards lose radio cover

SHETLAND Coastguard had to send out auxiliary teams to help maintain VHF radio cover after electrical faults on Monday and Tuesday knocked out communication lines to remote radio stations.

VHF aerials at Saxa Vord, Collafirth, Scousburgh and Fair Isle are being used by Shetland Coastguard to better communicate with shipping in the area.

The service was unavailable between 4.46pm and 8.33pm on Monday, and again between 11.30am and 1.30pm on Tuesday.

A spokesman for British Telecom said last night (Tuesday) that two separate faults, both on the Scottish mainland, had caused the temporary losses of communication.

Monday’s fault was due to problems with a power unit at Helmsdale radio station, while Tuesday’s failure could be traced back to a fault at Thrumster radio station, the spokesman said.

A coastguard spokeswoman said that it was vital for their service that the lines were fixed as quickly as was possible.

“We get some of our coastguard teams to go to the various locations to do a watch with hand held radios for us. If they pick up anything they then can alert us via phone. It is not ideal, but better than nothing,” she said.