Thames Coastguard needs your support RIGHT NOW!

[vertford]

Local volunteer knowledge...

I have skim read the consultation and couldn't really work out the "relying on the local coastguard rescue teams for input/information bit".

So one of the 5 plus 2 new centres is going to call/page/text one of the rescue teams for local knowledge in an emergency? The rescue teams are "land/cliff/mud" based where as we need the local coastal/offshore knowledge.

I seem to remember something about the Regional Fire Control centres so will Google that for some background.

 

[Athene V30]

Helo coverage in our area is generally provided by the RAF Sea King flight based at Wattisham, you'll have all seen them around. Can't recall what the problem was that night, whether they were u/s or already busy elsewhere.

Sure I was told that the SAR is being privitised and a French company has won the contract.

 

[Cantata]

I have skim read the consultation and couldn't really work out the "relying on the local coastguard rescue teams for input/information bit".
So one of the 5 plus 2 new centres is going to call/page/text one of the rescue teams for local knowledge in an emergency? The rescue teams are "land/cliff/mud" based where as we need the local coastal/offshore knowledge............

That's really just describing what happens now.
For instance, consider Thames Coastguard. Not sure where their northern boundary is - Orfordness? And in the south, it's Reculver. The good people who work at Thames (at Walton) cannot possibly know every bit of that coast, so they work (by radio and by phone) with the local rescue teams who live locally and know every inch, plus they have knowledge offshore too - often one or some of the team sail themselves.

 

[Marmalade]

That's really just describing what happens now.
For instance, consider Thames Coastguard. Not sure where their northern boundary is - Orfordness? And in the south, it's Reculver. The good people who work at Thames (at Walton) cannot possibly know every bit of that coast, so they work (by radio and by phone) with the local rescue teams who live locally and know every inch, plus they have knowledge offshore too - often one or some of the team sail themselves.

I must admit - i was wondering what is changing, really. As far as I can make out the narrative seems to be...

"we will cover the same area with fewer people enabled by better communications and computers and automation"

What is the objection we are making?

Is it

a) sounds like a plan but we've heard it all before and these things always lead to a poorer service

b) we don't believe the technology will work and so the plan is flawed (why don't we?)

c) we object to anything that sounds as though it might impact us negatively regardless of the plan?

d) I'm sure there are other valid objections

I'm probably an a) but with a little bit of c) thrown in if I'm honest

 

[Burnham Bob]

Fewer coastguards, more centralised managers is the real theme of the document.

If it was police would we really want more Chief Constables and less policemen on the beat?

 

[Stork_III]

There is an online petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ukcghq/ , taken from thread on Scuttlebutt.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I note that a similar scheme to centralise the control rooms for the Fire Service has reportedly been axed. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_and_essex_multi_million_pound_fire_control_project_is_scrapped_1_757636

While I am sure there will be significant differences between what is being proposed for HM Coastguard and the now scrapped scheme for the Fire Service but it does not excactly inspire confidence.

 

[NUTMEG]

Done

Completed. What a horrible survey! Seems designed to discourage participation, but perhaps that is just my paranoia.

 

[pennycar9]

As Cantata has pointed out, the present MRCC's cannot possibly have intimate local knowledge of the areas they cover. Thames area finishes at Southwold where Yarmouth takes over. Their area reaches to Halle Sand fort in the Humber, so, in theory, how can they co-ordinate an incident off Cleethorpes while sitting in Havenbridge House in Yarmouth not even being able to see the sea, but they do and have been doing so for years.

With modern technology, I really dont see the problem with having fewer MRCCs controlled more centrally.
As stated eleswhere there will still be the sector depots which are manned by (paid) volunteers so local beach searches will still be maintained, I can see more National Coast Watch centres being created, and I imagine the RNLI will play perhaps a larger part in coordinating SAR around the coasts and offshore.

I consider myself old fashioned and I dont like change very much, but I think in this instance, it is easy to become sentimental, I like to think that someone will be at the other end of the VHF if I call for help, and I am certain that will happen, whatever transpires.

Try asking Yarmouth coastguard for local weather conditions at Skegness!!!!!!

Paul