Plans to change the way the country’s coastguard service operates have been described as “fundamentally flawed” by Glenrothes’ MP.
In his response to the consultation on the proposals, Lindsay Roy has warned that any closure of the Forth Coastguard station at Fife Ness would be “irresponsible and reckless.”
The UK Government is looking to reduce the number of coastguard sites from 18 to eight, arguing that the service cannot respond to modern challenges.
Fife Ness, with a staff of 14, would close as part of those proposals, sparking anger from local politicians.
In his letter to shipping minister Mike Penning, Mr Roy acknowledged that, as with any public service, the government”s responsibility is to modernise and enhance the service.
However, he shares the view of many constituents that the proposals have not been thought through.
Mr Roy said, “It is our understanding that the motivation for this review related to problems of co-ordination and communication.
“Such issues will not necessarily be improved by centralisationindeed, centralisation will remove the detailed local knowledge acquired by staff in dealing with a range of potentially life-threatening incidents.”
“With particular reference to Fife Ness, which we strongly believe should be retained as an active base, it covers 344 miles of rugged coastline from Montrose to the north of England.1400-plus incidents
“In the last three years, station staff have dealt effectively and professionally with over 1400 incidents and the number of reported, incidents has been increasing year on year.
“This reflects the high intensity use of the shoreline for leisure and recreation purposes as well as the congested shipping thoroughfares.”
Mr Roy said there is “ample evidence” from the coastguard service that local information, with prompt action, has been vital in dealing with a range of emergencies.
He said, “No evidence has been provided about how a centralised operation would quickly gain the local knowledge required to deal effectively with the range of emergencies that have occurred.
“In most cases, time has been of the essence.”
If the changes are implemented there would be just one full-time base north of the border, at Aberdeen, with a second base, in either Stornoway or Shetland, only manned in daylight hours.