12 January 2011
Waveney MP Peter Aldous today encouraged constituents to respond to the Government’s consultation on the proposal to modernise the coastguard.
The main changes proposed are the replacement of the 18 centres currently in operation with two national centres in Aberdeen and one in the Portsmouth/ Southampton area and six sub-stations at Dover, Falmouth, Humber and Swansea and a further two local stations on the north east and north west coasts. The London centre continues outside of the central command network.
The Yarmouth station would be closed under the proposals and the 36 people employed there would be re-located or lose their jobs.
The proposals will aim to modernise the coastguard service by:
Mr Aldous said:
“The coastguard on the East Anglian coast has a long and distinguished history and although I understand the need to modernise the service, it is sad to hear that the Great Yarmouth Station could close under the current proposals. I will be engaging with the relevant maritime organisations and individuals working at sea and invite any evidence that I can put forward to the Minister as to why the Yarmouth site should not be closed, or on the location of the proposed new Maritime Operation Centres and Sub-centres. I would be grateful for these to be sent to me at House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A OAA by 1st March 2011.”
The main changes proposed are the replacement of the 18 centres currently in operation with two national centres in Aberdeen and one in the Portsmouth/ Southampton area and six sub-stations at Dover, Falmouth, Humber and Swansea and a further two local stations on the north east and north west coasts. The London centre continues outside of the central command network.
The Yarmouth station would be closed under the proposals and the 36 people employed there would be re-located or lose their jobs.
The proposals will aim to modernise the coastguard service by:
- Establishing two nationally networked Maritime Operations Centres, located at Aberdeen and the Southampton/Portsmouth area, capable of managing maritime incidents wherever and whenever they occur and with improved information systems, together with a 24 hour centre at Dover looking over the busy Channel Traffic Separation Scheme.
- Provide for five other sub-centres, fully integrated into the national network around the coast and operating during daylight hours. On the basis of an evaluation of the existing sites and the facilities available at them, it is proposed three of these should be located at Falmouth, Humber and Swansea.
- Provide high quality and demanding jobs for our Coastguards, with the job weight and pay reflecting the increased demands placed upon them in line with Civil Service pay guidelines.
- Strengthen the leadership and support provided to our volunteer Coastguards in the Coastguard Rescue Service.
- Improve present levels of service to the public while reducing costs.
Mr Aldous said:
“The coastguard on the East Anglian coast has a long and distinguished history and although I understand the need to modernise the service, it is sad to hear that the Great Yarmouth Station could close under the current proposals. I will be engaging with the relevant maritime organisations and individuals working at sea and invite any evidence that I can put forward to the Minister as to why the Yarmouth site should not be closed, or on the location of the proposed new Maritime Operation Centres and Sub-centres. I would be grateful for these to be sent to me at House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A OAA by 1st March 2011.”
