There is a small band fighting the proposed closures of (up to 50%) HM Coastguard Maritime Regional Coordination Centres (MRCC). I have been helping for a short time but many have been doing this since it was first announced in December 2010.
The amazing thing is: they do this… in their own time…… at their own expense! It would appear that this dedication is sometimes limited and this could be the most influential reason that there are only a few stalwarts that continue the work. Although we continue to grow with the occasional new SOS Crew member, we still seek to spread the word to more people.
Our aims are:
- To get the New Petition on the website up to 100,000 signatures.
- To raise awareness of the closures & our campaign.
- To support all HM Coastguards.
- Promote sea safety & environment protection.
- To be proactive in our campaign & take our concerns to appropriate bodies & authorities.
- To work with all the major stakeholders in the future of HMCG.
Anyone in the UK can identify with the work of the RNLI & Other Volunteer Services do, risking their lives to save others, so it should only be a short step for all to realise that this is only made possible because of the work that HM Coastguard does. As an Island, we should always be mindful of the waters that surround us.
So my question is “Will you help by giving 5 minutes of your time?”
YES just 5 Minutes, that’s all it will take:
1 Minute to go online & sign the PETITION http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4403
4 Minutes to go to the webpage, download template letter & email to your MP http://coastguardsos.com/how-do-i-help-save-the-coastguard
5 Minutes extremely valuable time for you, for us, for all.
5 Minutes in a Coastal Incident could mean the difference between life or death!
WHY BOTHER?
Well, if you look at the Blogs before this one, you will see that, by bothering we are making quite a difference: The supporters’ page demonstrates the wide variety of Public figures that agree with the campaign.
The campaign has exposed dangerous flaws in the way that Risk Assessments for the closures have been carried out. The lack of individual Risk Assessment of each station threatened, has highlighted a gross oversight by the Maritime Coastguard Agency responsible for the future of HM Coastguard. The dangers posed by insufficient Risk assessments, has prompted Devolved Governments to become directly involved with the whole question of Station closures.
The loss of Local Knowledge has always been central to the campaign, so it has become even more important now that evidence has emerged that the House of Commons & MPs were given misleading statements over station pairing & knowledge sharing (see news page & blog ‘Tangled Webs & White Elephants’). http://coastguardsos.com/
It would appear that many assurances given by the Shipping Minister (Mike Penning) in the House of Commons are being ignored or overturned without consultation, the latest is that MRCCs will be closed before the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) is up and running, in spite of the statement that this would not be the case until the MOC was proven to be capable of performing the role of stations to be closed.
In ‘Straight from the Horse’s Mouth’ Blog, a serving Coastguard Officer confirms many of the public’s fears over the closures, but also paints a very stark picture of the service and some disturbing insights in to the MCA / HMCG hierarchy ! As I write this blog, other information is coming to light which with all the News items and existing blogs on our website, should make compelling reasons to help the campaign. http://coastguardsos.com/
These efforts are beginning to pay off, as there is now an Early Day Motion requesting a House of Commons debate into the Coastguard Closures, supported at the time of writing by 32 MP’s. Please see link below
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2848
The campaign has drawn International recognition with the Canadian Mayday Alliance who fight similar cuts in their service, we continue to work together and share information & strategies’. We battle on, knowing that this is winnable; as proven by the Irish recently when closures were threatening Stations there. YES, it would be nice to have more help. YES, together we can make a difference.
HAVE you got 5 Minutes?
The campaign is always happy to have help from anyone, any industry or sector. If you want to help in anyway, please contact info@coastguardsos.com outlining how you wish to get involved.
Other options:
If you don’t want to formally offer help but want to do more than the ‘5 Minutes’, here are some suggestions or visit http://coastguardsos.com/how-do-i-help-save-the-coastguard
Link our website & petition on any social media you can, email about us, tweet about us! Download the Flyer & put in prominent places (with permission) tell friends & groups about us. Look at the other links we have which include SAR Helicopter petition & Air Ambulance VAT petition. Read our blogs. Thank you.
Written by Coastal Joe
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