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
10892 Signatures
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Freda M L
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- HM Coastguard should not be subjected to cuts. The safety of those at sea and in coastal communities remains a much urgent priority than financially driven targets.
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Zoe E
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- Cuts cost lives
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Sarah D
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- Given the amount of shipping and in some cases dangerous nature of shipping in the area it is just idiotic to close the forth coastguard station.
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Andy L
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Michelle b
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Janet T
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S H
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Deborah m
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Lynda L
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Julia l
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Rhian
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Gemma C
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Peter k
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- Lives will be lost if this foolhardy exercise is allowed to happen
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Spencer C
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Peter A
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Paul r
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- Closure will cost lives at some time.
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Julie J
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Daniel T
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- Cameron and his muppets are putting lives at risk!
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sarah p
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Valerie W
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S c
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- I'm an ex-sailor confident we have the safest waters in the world because of the coastguard, we need to keep it that way!
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Tony S
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- Even considering shutting down any HM Coastguard stations is a wrong decision
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Linsay w
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Colin J
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Andrew H
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- It makes no sense at all to get rid of any station completely
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Isabella C
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- Knowledge saves lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Emma A
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David B
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- We must not lose this invaluable resource, it's the lifeline for people who work on the sea and those of us who spend leisure time around our coast.
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Dr Christine C
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- Having worked with various Coastguard stations over the past 10 years in the provision of care for victims of diving emergencies, I am deeply concerned about the impact that closures will have on the wellbeing of water users with subsequent effects on tourism, local business as well as safety at sea.
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Roy Smith J
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Stephen H
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Brian H
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Sarah D
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Caroline T
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- I completely oppose the closing of any coastguard station around the UK. It is a vital service which saves lives .
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Nicholas O
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- "Modernisation" seems to have become a new word for "Closure". The proposals put forward by the MCA & DfT are dangerous & flawed. If allowed to proceed it will place people's lives in danger because of the loss of vital local knowledge & loss of skilled workforce. Public confidence in the ability of the MCA & DfT to run HM Coastguard is already questionable so the PM must ensure that the correct decisions are made for the safety of the service & coast users
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Michael A
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allan b
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paul g
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Paul R
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Beth A
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Neil B
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diane
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Jen J
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darren g
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Carl A
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Dan C
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Steve T
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julie b
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- there can never be any substitute for local knowledge
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Alan M D
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- Don't cut on life-saving!
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Alastair N
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10892
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