THE CAMPAIGN to safeguard Shetland’s coastguard coordination centre from closure has received a boost from popular wildlife film maker Simon King.
The self confessed fan of the far flung islands broughtt the local wildlife to millions of television viewers in his three part Shetland Diaries broadcast in spring last year.
On Wednesday he joined the growing campaign against the government’s economy drive to close either Shetland or Stornoway coastguard stations close, with the remaining station reduced to a daytime only service.
The government is consulting on the plan, which would leave Scotland relying on one 24 hour base in Aberdeen. The consultation ends on 24 March.
Mr King said: “Shetland is a land of sea and storms. The coastguard is an invaluable service to residents and visitors alike, from assistance with an eye on the weather to mobilising rescues and saving lives.
“If they were to disappear, the safety of all who live on or visit the isles would be threatened.”
Shetland coastguard watches over an area of approximately 36,500 square miles, where gales can be experienced during any month of the year, frequently reaching Violent Storm Force 11 (72mph) or Hurricane Force 12 (more than 73mph) and waves of over 11 metres can be expected.
Speaking on behalf of the Public and Commercial Union (PCS), Lerwick station watch officer Mike Smith said the station looked after a wide range of shipping, including fishing, cargo, tourism, and the offshore oil and gas industry.
“Both Orkney and Shetland are of vital economic importance to the UK acting as strategic hubs for the offshore oil and gas industry with the Flotta oil terminal in Scapa Flow, Orkney, the second largest major oil terminal serving the North Sea, and Sullom Voe in Shetland, the largest oil terminal in Europe,” he said.
Meanwhile, isles MP Alistair Carmichael, the government’s deputy chief whip, is meeting with the Shetland coastguard staff later this week to discuss the proposal and the campaign to Save Our Station – Save Shetland Coastguard.
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