S&R Cutbacks...

[boatman61]

Bad news for sailors round the UK...
Yahoo! News UK & Ireland - Latest World News & UK News Headlines

BBC News - Coastguard stations set to be slashed

The good news is the RNLI will keep on station...

[SaltyMonkey]

So...basically...it will be turned into an american helicopter enterprise @ 240 pounds 12 pence per nautical mile?

[boatman61]

Yup... and the RAF lose a great real life exercise facility... usual white collars $$ chasing..

[Kettlewell]

Just wait until the first family tragedy when someone's life is lost due to lack of rescue services. Short-sighted budget cuts have a way of coming back to haunt politicians. These things go in cycles.

[Blue Stocking]

Belt tightening is severe. 7 RAF Typhoons passed thru Bermuda this weekend travelling with USAF KC-135 and KC-10. No RAF VC-10 or Lockheed 1011 tankers. Could just be co-op.

[David_Old_Jersey]

I can't say I have a problem with the CG stations being merged - apart from saving money should improve co-ordination. No reason for the CG stations to be near the seaside (and with only 40 stations most of the seaside is not covered anyway) - long gone are ye olden days when the CG would have needed people who had "local" knowledge that was useful, technology has changed a lot in the world - including sometimes even for the better!

I would have thought the Auxiliary Coastguard (Volunteers) would provide enough boots on the ground / local knowledge on the rare occassions when actually needed.

On the S&R Helicopters - I guess no longer seen as a useful training tool for the armed forces, and if that is the case (and it is wise?!) then no reason why it should remain under the military (unlike some other countries the UK does not live under the bootprint of it's armed forces as a way of feeling "free"). Indeed, I don't see any great need for 24/7 helicopter cover around most of the coast anyway. Sh#t happens? - suck it up! (and if there is a next time then put a bit more thought and / or preparation in first).