Coastguard station cuts could put lives at risk, unions warn

Lives must not be put at risk by cutting the number of coastguard stations, unions warned today.

Currently there are 18 stations - and a small centre on the Thames which will not be affected by plans outlined by shipping minister Mike Penning. But there will be just three 24-hour operational centres - at Aberdeen, in the Southampton/Portsmouth area and at Dover.

In addition, there will be five sub-centres open during daylight hours - at Swansea, at Falmouth in Cornwall, at Humber in Yorkshire and at either Belfast or Liverpool and at either Stornoway or Shetland in the Scottish islands.

Coastguard stations facing the axe include Bangor in Northern Ireland, Brixham in Devon, Holyhead in North Wales and Yarmouth. Mr Penning said the organisation of the Coastguard dated back 40 years and a "lack of national co-ordination" meant it was not well placed to respond to more congested seas.

But the Public and Commercial Services union, which represents 750 members in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, urged caution.

Jeremy Gautrey, PCS negotiations officer for MCA, said: "We will be studying the detail of these proposals very carefully to ensure that lives would not be put at risk and that the ability of our members to provide an emergency service is not compromised."

The Government today said it was postponing an announcement about the privatisation of the UK's search and rescue helicopter service as the preferred bidder "had become aware of a possible issue in connection with its bid".