News / Should coastguard be devolved?
THE SCOTTISH government has written to 40 organisations with an interest in maritime safety to seek views on whether the coastguard service should be devolved to Scotland as are other ‘blue light’ services such police, fire and ambulance.
The secretary for rural affairs, Richard Lochhead, said on Sunday the Scottish government had not been consulted before the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced in December last year its plans to reduce the number of Scottish coastguard stations from five to two.
One of the two surviving stations at Stornoway or Lerwick would become a part time station with Aberdeen as the only 24/7 Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Scotland.
The proposals are fiercely opposed in maritime communities across Scotland who fear that centralised technology will replace local knowledge and the ability to react to emergencies without delay.
On Friday, while on a visit to Shetland, Sir Alan Massey, the chief executive of the MCA, was left in no doubt what local people and his own staff at the Lerwick MRCC thought of the proposals.
Mr Lochhead said that should these unjustifiable measures be introduced, maritime safety in Scotland would “surely be compromised”.
“Scotland holds 60 per cent of the UK’s coastline but these proposals would leave us with just a quarter of the co-ordination centres. This dangerous proposal is playing fast and loose with lives and safety.
“With ever increasing activity on Scotland’s seas and around our coastline, the MCA’s proposals raise serious doubts about the UK Government’s ability to manage the coastguard service.
“That’s why I’m keen to hear views from those who are most affected by the proposals on how this valuable public service can best be managed in Scotland, including the merits of devolution.
“As the Scottish Government prepares a formal response to the consultation, we need to make sure that maritime safety – not financial savings – is at the heart of deciding the future of these vital services, the rural affairs secretary said.
His comments were welcomed by Lee Coutts of the Shetland campaign ‘Save our Station’, who said the current MCA proposal was not fit for purpose in Scotland.
Mr Coutts said: “Due to the nature of Scotland’s coastline, remoteness of many areas, the current exploration of oil and gas production and the further development of offshore wind and tidal energy projects, it would be irresponsible to reduce the current service levels.
“In Shetland the coastguard is held in such high regard that anything less than the equal status with that of the police, ambulance and fire brigade would be disastrous.
“Without the expertise of the coastguard many a situation could not be resolved or co-ordinated to the same high standard and efficiency that we currently rely on and at time possibly take for granted.
“If the Scottish government are intent on taking action then it could prove extremely beneficial and create the best group of emergency service (while sharing expertise and responsibilities) in the world!” he said.
Meanwhile, the MCA have published their awaited risk assessment of proposals. The various sections of the document can be found at: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/consultations/mcga-currentconsultations/hm_coastguard_proposals_for_modernisation_consultation_2010/consultation-risk.htm
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