National petition to save HM Coastguard stations
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In December 2010 the UK Government announced modernisation consultation proposals for HM Coastguard. At that time the intention was to reduce the UK's eighteen Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres to just two centres which would operate 24hrs per day. These centres (MOC's) would be supported by only five sub centres that would only be operational throughout "daylight hours only".(See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12007031).
UK Coastguard HQ Centres are responsible for the co-ordination of Search and Rescue along the UK coastline, as well as providing shipping information and a number of other essential services along the UK coastline.
Announcing the cuts, Shipping Minister Mike Penning said "Our seas are becoming busier, with larger ships and increasing numbers of offshore renewable energy platforms making key areas of our seas more congested. There are also increasing numbers of people using our beaches, coastlines and seas for leisure activities.
The proposals were overwhelmingly rejected by EVERY Coastguard station, campaigners and by the Transport Select Committee who conducted a full investigation and concluded that the modernisation proposals were "seriously flawed".
On 14th July 2011, Philip Hammond MP - Secretary of State for Transport announced that the Government had looked at the responses to the original consultation and had examined the evidence. He then announced new consultation proposals which indicated that Eleven named Coastguard stations would to be retained on a 24/7 basis but that eight remaining named stations would close.
To the UK Government
Whilst welcoming the news of steps forward towards safer proposals, Coastguard officers and campaigners nevertheless are gravely concerned that despite assurances that Ministers were "listening" to the concerns of members of the public, Coastguard officers, Campaigners, Members of Parliament and devolved Governments, the revised proposals are also unacceptable not least on the basis that vital local knowledge will continue be lost and therefore lives will continue to be out at risk on our coastlines.
This petition is intended to urge the UK Government to urgently review this decision to cut essential emergency services from coastal areas. HM Coastguard should not be subjected to cuts because the safety of those at sea and in coastal communities remains a much more urgent priority than financially driven targets.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SAVES LIVES
UK Coastguard HQ Centres are responsible for the co-ordination of Search and Rescue along the UK coastline, as well as providing shipping information and a number of other essential services along the UK coastline.
Announcing the cuts, Shipping Minister Mike Penning said "Our seas are becoming busier, with larger ships and increasing numbers of offshore renewable energy platforms making key areas of our seas more congested. There are also increasing numbers of people using our beaches, coastlines and seas for leisure activities.
The proposals were overwhelmingly rejected by EVERY Coastguard station, campaigners and by the Transport Select Committee who conducted a full investigation and concluded that the modernisation proposals were "seriously flawed".
On 14th July 2011, Philip Hammond MP - Secretary of State for Transport announced that the Government had looked at the responses to the original consultation and had examined the evidence. He then announced new consultation proposals which indicated that Eleven named Coastguard stations would to be retained on a 24/7 basis but that eight remaining named stations would close.
To the UK Government
Whilst welcoming the news of steps forward towards safer proposals, Coastguard officers and campaigners nevertheless are gravely concerned that despite assurances that Ministers were "listening" to the concerns of members of the public, Coastguard officers, Campaigners, Members of Parliament and devolved Governments, the revised proposals are also unacceptable not least on the basis that vital local knowledge will continue be lost and therefore lives will continue to be out at risk on our coastlines.
This petition is intended to urge the UK Government to urgently review this decision to cut essential emergency services from coastal areas. HM Coastguard should not be subjected to cuts because the safety of those at sea and in coastal communities remains a much more urgent priority than financially driven targets.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SAVES LIVES
10869 Signatures
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Dennis O'Connor
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- LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SAVES LIVES. I strongly reject the proposals to close ANY of the UK's Coastguard stations on the basis that lives will be put at risk if station closure plans are allowed to proceed.
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Lou Pooley
- Comments
- Stations Cannot be closed there is too much risk to life!!
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elaine kirk
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Christine Plested
- Comments
- Save the Coastguard Stations!!
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Peter Plested
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Andy Kuruc
- Comments
- We need these stations and we need them ALL 24 hour!
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mike hillen
- Comments
- no coastguard should be closed, this is about lives and not money
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julie hillen
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Matt Plested
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pauline absalom
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Carl Harding
- Comments
- This really needs to be assesed once again so many people cant all be wrong
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Doreen Firman
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andrew cotterill
- Comments
- local knowledge saves lives. closing any coastguard station costs lives
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Bob Skinley
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Caroline Kinsella
- Comments
- Please rethink the closure of Weymouth and Portland Coastguard. These waters are dangerous we have rip tides. The Race off of Portland Bill. Divers from Poole to Lyme Regis.Landslides in Charmouth and also windsurfers and holiday makers. Local fisherman and hobby sailors. Cliff walkers and quick sand.The Chesil Beach and the Fleet. The public needs our local Coastguard with local knowledge to keep them safe. We used to have an auxiliary Coastguard at West Bay that was closed many years ago. There was a watch house on the East Beach. Local knowledge of our coastline is what is needed to save lives not centralisation.Our Coastguard are out every day in all weathers saving lives, With the school holidays about to begin and lots of holiday makers without local knowledge their workload is going to increase. Please rethink this decision. to close Portland. It is interesting to note that the closure is not scheduled to take place until after the Olympic sailing.Local knowledge saves lives.
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allan bennett
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Yan Giron (@PecheFraiche)
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- this Petition is important for any European crew (including commercial fishermen). Our seas are European and safety at sea is a duty for any coastal member state. Sea is not only leisuring, people work on it all year long !
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Jane Parker
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pauline gorringe
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Pete Wayne
- Comments
- Closing stations is an easy option but saving lives is more important. The IT systems are not capable in either handling traffic or supporting local knowledge. These stations are invaluable to locals and volunteer CROs in providing swift response to incidents in and around the coasts.
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julie bergin
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Helen Williamson
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Laurence Hartwell
- Comments
- What price maritime security?
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Kevin Banks
- Comments
- Local knowledge saves lives - to cut the coastguard stations will cost lives.
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Dean Hetherington
- Comments
- local knowledge is paramount in all situations.
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Jacqui king
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- local knowledge is essential as is proximity, I would not feel confident visiting the coast and using the sea knowing the nearest coastgaurd is 100 miles away!
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Jane Davidson
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- Swansea is an essential part of the network. The increased risk to our lives is not warranted by the small level of savings.
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David Jones
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Karl Hurd
- Comments
- Local knowledge saves response time, therefore stands to reason that will save lives. We have this problem with the 999 system, that when a call goes in the operater has no idea where we are and time gets wasted just trying to explain where in the west of Scotland Campbeltown is
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Ray Hutchinson
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Alan Carr
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Phil Ball
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Elizabeth Connolly-Beckford
- Comments
- HM Coastguard Stations Save Lives
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Martyn Grant
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heather clissett
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andrea stinchcombe
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mr p j flanagan
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Neil Bainbridge
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Lynn Hancock
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Trevor Learoyd
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Diane Gilpin
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Pamela Wilkinson
- Comments
- We live on an island for heavens sake our coastguard stations and local knowledge are essential!!
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Sarah Newson
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Andy Sutherland
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Lynne Gray
- Comments
- Save lives, save the Coastguard Stations!
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Capt Herb Carol
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- How much is my life worth to you, and what price can be put on yours? HM Coastguard is there for both of us!!
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k.m.Alderman
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- how can a person locked in fantasty world who has no concept of life on and around the coast make decisions that will ultimatly kill people he is not god
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Jeff Shute
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Caroline Oakshett
- Comments
- I am extremely concerned about the closing of these coastguard stations. Local knowledge is irreplaceable and makes the difference in saving lives
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stephanie till
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10869
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