The government has proposed a major modernisation of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency using new technologies. Entitled Protecting our Seas and Shores in the 21st Century, the consultation paper says the latest technology means the Coastguard can be completely reconfigured to deliver a more integrated and improved level of service at a lower cost.

Transport minister Mike Penning (right) was reported byas saying the service, last reviewed in 1970s, is now in need of an urgent overhaul and the consultation document proposes modernising the service by exploiting a national networked service.

"Coastguards .. from a variety of backgrounds .. are experienced in using computers to assist them in managing the emergency response to critical situations where people's lives may be at risk."

Much of the agency's computer and radio technology is outdated, but there is huge potential to improve the service and make it more efficient, says the report.

The consultation proposes to set up two nationally networked Maritime Operations Centres, capable of managing incidents wherever they occur and with improved systems to monitor ships. These would be located in Aberdeen and either Portsmouth or Southampton.

There would be six sub-centres, fully integrated into the national network operating around the coast during daylight hours, with one, in Dover operating around the clock.

It is proposed that four sub-centres located at Dover, Falmouth, Humber and Swansea, with the remaining two at either Belfast or Liverpool, and Stornoway or Shetland.
The paper proposes that the transition to a new service would begin in 2011-12 and take place over four years.

Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey the agency's CEO (left) said: "Colleagues in HM Coastguard have for many years recognised the need for modernisation. I am convinced that we must grasp this unique opportunity to improve our capacity and resilience as a service, and give our staff new, more fulfilling careers."

However the Shetland the Island council for one reacted with disbelief to the news that the coastguard stations be closed or reduced to a daytime only operation.

Proposals mean that less than 50 coastguard officers would run the UK’s entire coastguard rescue coordination service from three 24 hour stations and five sub stations under these radical new plans by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

These come on top of plans to plans to remove the coastguard emergency towing vessels from the area, that would further leave seafarers around Shetland and the western isles defenceless.



Sir Alan Massey said controversial plans to more than half coastguard rescue centres by more than half were not driven by the need to cut costs and he promised that the Sumburgh based search and rescue helicopter base would not be affected by any cuts, not would the volunteer coastguard rescue teams.

MCA has been planning to modernise the coastguard service since before the new coalition government took office. Shipping minister Mike Penning was due to announce the closure of Lerwick coastguard station but the decision was changed at the last minute to allow a 14 week consultation to decide whether Lerwick or Stornoway should stay open.



Shetland MSP Tavish Scott (right) has lodged a  Scottish Parliament motion calling on both stations to remain. Stornoway is government’s preferred option because it is regarded as cheaper to run.


“Scotland," says Scott, "needs to keep coastguard stations in Lerwick and Stornoway. Together they cover very large and complex areas of sea and coastline, including key deepwater oil fields. Compared to the coast of England, the coastline in the Highlands and Islands is very complex and marine safety depends on those in charge having good local knowledge.



“The local knowledge of their area built up and held by the teams in both stations is invaluable and keeps safe those who travel and earn their living on and around our seas. Officers in a single station could not possibly keep and develop the same degree of this vital local knowledge,” he said.



Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: "These changes will cost lives. The removal of the tug could also have a devastating effect on the environment should any vessel run aground. These cuts are false economies."



Sir Alan however insisted that the MCA had carried out “very detailed statistical analysis” of every incident the coastguard has dealt with historically.

“We have judged that around 48 coastguards on watch anywhere in the UK, because they are connected in some way with what’s going on at sea, can cope with the most number of incidents, whether they be major or minor or concurrent or not, that are ever likely to happen,” he said.



At the moment one coastguard station can be lying idle while another is extremely busy, and the workload cannot be shared because they are not interconnected.

“You end up with far too many people with not enough to do,” he said. “This is the time though to move forward with the technology we’ve got and with the capability that’s vested in our very good people and make a better fit for the way we actually coordinate search and rescue."