The low running cost of Fife’s coastguard base was highlighted as the Scottish Parliament prepares to debate Westminster plans to close some of the maritime emergency service’s stations.
Forth Coastguard, at Fife Ness near Crail, cost just £44,662 to operate last year compared to the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Aberdeen, which at £280,311 was the most expensive.
Lifeboat stations at Queensferry, Kinghorn and Anstruther were also the busiest north of the border.
MSPs will discuss the UK government’s proposal to get rid of three of Scotland’s five coastguard stations, during a debate led by SNP Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan.
North-east Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said, “Not only does Forth Coastguard have the lowest running cost of any of the United Kingdom’s coastguard stations, but the lifeboats within its area of responsibility were the busiest in Scotland last year.Value for money”This demonstrates the value for money service that this vital coastguard station plays in protecting eastern Scotland’s coastline.
“I have already made my views on the proposed closure of the station clear to the transport secretary and I will write to him again to emphasise the role that it plays.”
The proposed cuts have sparked calls for coastguard services to be devolved so Scottish waters and coastal industries can be properly protected.
Dr Allan said, “Our vast coastline and all those who work and travel in our seas must be properly protected. The coastguard does a vital service to Scotland and the plans to cut the number of coastguard stations, removing local knowledge and risking coastal safety are completely unacceptable.
He added, “It is clear to me that the UK Tory government is not concerned with the safety of Scotland’s seas and that the best solution would be to transfer control of the coastguard to a Scottish Government working for Scotland.”
Under the proposals Aberdeen would be the only 24-hour coastguard station in Scotland and either Shetland or Stornoway would remain as a sub-centre open during daylight hours only.
Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick has written to Mike Penning, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Transport, to express her “wholehearted opposition” to the plans and to urge the UK government to retain the Fife base.Concerned”I am hugely concerned that the UK government is considering closing the coastguard station at Fife Ness,” she said yesterday. “Not only would any decision to close Fife Ness result in job losses for the dedicated staff who work there, it may put the safety of people who use the River Forth estuary for business and recreational activities at risk.
“That is unacceptable.”
Mrs Marwick added that the growing renewable energy industry at Fife Energy Park in Methil should also result in additional traffic on the Firth of Forth, which would mean Fife Ness would be more important than ever before.
She noted, “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s consultation document recognises that ‘our coastline is getting busier’, so it makes no sense whatsoever to close a station that covers such a large stretch of Scotland’s eastern coastline.
“I have therefore written to the UK government to urge them to reject these worrying proposals and provide a commitment to the future of Fife Ness and the staff who work there. I would urge the people of Fife to do likewise.”
Consultation on the government’s plans continues until March 24.