A meeting of the Outer Hebrides Coastguard Task Group on Friday the 5th of August discussed recent announcements in regard to the retention of Stornoway Coastguard Station and the new consultation on the next phase of Coastguard Modernisation proposals.
The group agreed that the focus of the next period must be on the retention of the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV). Members of the group agreed that there was a short window of opportunity in which to influence government and agreed to seek a schedule of meetings with both the UK and Scottish Governments and with key stakeholders such as The Crown Estate over the next numbers of weeks. The group will also seek to bring together all Highlands and Islands MPs and MSPs to ensure a co-ordinated cross-party approach.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Angus Campbell, Chairman of the Outer Hebrides Coastguard Task Group and Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “The approach taken by the Task Group over the last period in presenting a rational, well-researched and well-presented case for the retention of Stornoway Coastguard station has paid dividends. The recent announcement by the UK Government that Stornoway and Shetland stations will be retained is the correct one and demonstrates that rational arguments and a strong case will be listened to.
We have an equally strong case for the retention of the ETV and over the next weeks we propose to take that strong case to Government. We agree with the Government that the ETV contract requires amendment, but their approach of simply terminating the contract is the wrong one. It is, in the words of the Chairwoman of the Transport Committee ‘inviting disaster’. It is a disaster our fragile economy and environment cannot afford and that is why we will be bringing our case to the heart of Government over the next weeks”.
Mr Campbell added, “It is also essential that the local community are involved in the campaign to retain the tug. For a sea-faring community such as ours, the loss of our insurance policy against serious incident is unacceptable and I would urge the public to make their feelings known in regard to the withdrawal of the tug. I would urge everyone to contact their MP and MSP and the local and national press. It is essential that the Government understands the local strength of feeling in regard to this dangerous and ill-thought out proposal.“
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