Concern at Northern Ireland 'Coastguard downgrade'

[Mr T.]

Concern at 'Coastguard downgrade'




Unions have expressed concern at reports that the Coastguard Agency plans to downgrade its rescue centre.

They are fearful that the Northern Ireland centre could be stripped of its role in search and rescue co-ordination.

It comes after a man drowned in north Antrim at the weekend.

However, the Maritime Coastguard Agency denied there were any current plans to change the operation of co-ordination centres or to close any.

South Down MP Eddie McGrady said he was disturbed at reports about the downgrade.

He said he wanted assurances that the Bangor centre would retain its role.

Any downgrading of the centre's status could invariably put people's lives at risk, which is why we are seeking guarantees from senior managers


John Hope
Public and Commercial Services Union



"This news will be very disturbing to those fishing families along the south Down coast and indeed the population in general," said the SDLP MP.

"I will be making strong representations in favour of the retention of these services and indeed the continuance of an adequate and improved Sea Rescue Service. Life saving services at sea must not be diluted or reduced in any way."

Concerned Coastguard staff said the proposals would see all the activities of the current centre co-ordinated in Scotland, but with no job losses.

It is understood the proposals were put to a joint working group involving the Coastguard Agency and unions for Scotland and Northern Ireland in Aberdeen last week.

'Improving services'

Siana Gadd, watch manager at Brigenz House in Bangor, said: "Local knowledge is absolutely vital when dealing with emergencies and that is something that staff in Scotland wouldn't have."

Coastguard union, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), called for "cast iron guarantees" from the Maritime Coastguard Agency on the future of the Belfast Coastguard Rescue Centre.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency is considering its future activities as far ahead as 2020 and will be talking and listening to its staff, customers and stakeholders


Maritime Coastguard Agency spokesman



The union's John Hope said: "There has been a lot of conflicting messages from the senior management leading the staff to be fearful over the future of the Belfast centre.

"Any downgrading of the centre's status could invariably put people's lives at risk, which is why we are seeking guarantees from senior managers on assurances recently given to MPs, that there will be no reduction in rescue centres, remain true."

However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it would continue to make safety its priority and continue to look for ways of improving the services it provides.

"It is considering its future activities as far ahead as 2020 and will be talking and listening to its staff, customers and stakeholders about how it can improve the way it operates in the interests of safer lives, safer ships and cleaner seas," said a spokesman.

[Paddy Diver]

Good god lets hope there not going too, we haven't got that many SAR services in Ireland, thats all we'd need is to take more away.

Ian