UK HM Coastguard

[Quarffie]

apologies if this is in the wrong place

hi all.

As you may already be aware the Government announced a revised modernisation proposal in late July; this revision now abandons the idea of part time emergency co-ordination centres ("day light" centres) and has a smaller reduction in the number of MRCCs (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres) closing, when compared to the original plan. Also, instead of two Marine Operation Centres (MOCs) there is now proposed to be just one (in the Southampton/Portsmouth area), each remaining MRCC will run operations in it's own area while the MOC can provide back up if required... a much more sensible plan.
The Coastguard officers in the MRCCs are not stupid though we realise that in all probability we have only achieved a delay, maybe 5 or 10 years, in the inevitable plan - i.e. 2 MOCs running the entire UK.
In addition, there are still a significant number of stations (MRCCs) marked for closeure this time around: Forth, Thames, Solent, Portland, Brixham, Swansea, Liverpool, Clyde.

A completely new segment of this revised proposal also makes all serving operational Coastguard officers in MRCCs redundant, and forcing those that want to stay into reapplying for their own jobs.
It is concievable that a high number of experienced officers will not bother, having been treated with contempt by the 'authors' of the MCAs plan, and top levels of management in the agency a lot of us have had enough, morale is non-existant. Possibly the coastguard of the near future will be staffed by less qualified, less experienced people.
Personally I'm waiting it out until I see the final plan in the autumn but I am aware of quite a few people leaving already.

This current revised proposal is "under consultation" until the autumn - see http://www.mcga.gov.uk if you want the details.

thanks, Quarffie

[Nick]

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I think morale is pretty high in Stornoway and Shetland now they have been reprieved, but not in Clyde.

Re. the timescale for a renewed attack - hopefully the CG will be a devolved matter by then in Scoltland.

[Quarffie]

morale is a little off rock bottom at Shetland, Nick, of course we're pleased to have saved the station for now. Quite honestly staff are tired after 8 months of fighting our corner - and it's not completely over yet, we're offering our support in any way we can to those at stations still listed for closing, plus we're all facing redundancy now regardless of which station we're at - whether it's one thats closing or not.

edit: Also, Westminster well and truely quashed the idea of HMCG being run by each devolved administration. Personally I wouldn't like to see HMCG broken up this way anyway.

[Nick]

edit: Also, Westminster well and truely quashed the idea of HMCG being run by each devolved administration. Personally I wouldn't like to see HMCG broken up this way anyway.

I don't think the door is shut on that yet . . . five years is a long time. If not then it may become a sovereign Scots matter.