Modernisation of coastguard services 

Statement: Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager, 20 April 2011  

“The RYA has made it absolutely clear in its response to the MCA’s consultation paper regarding the modernisation of the Coastguard service that its principle concern is to ensure that all Coastguard services that are currently delivered, including search and rescue, provision of maritime safety information and VHF voice communication, continue at the same level and indeed are improved.  

“The consultation has provoked much emotion and even hostility; particularly from communities where Rescue Co-ordination Centres may be located close by, however, the proposals seek primarily to improve the command and control of search and rescue activity in order to address the lack of interoperability between Rescue Co-ordination Centres, the inability to spread the work-load across the system and the fundamental lack of resilience caused by increased demands on the current inadequate structure.  

“All of these issues have implications for the safety of recreational boaters when at sea and the RYA has made it clear that there is a pressing need to address these weaknesses.  

“We have outlined a number of critical points concerning the changing operational environment and additional pressures that must be fully considered if the quality of the services is to be maintained and improved including; lack of clear risk assessment, local knowledge, voice communications, sub-station operability, and weather forecasts amongst others.  

“We also believe that it is vital that the new system is focused on outcomes and underpinned by flexible procedures that are sufficiently agile to deal with the increasing complexity and pressure of managing the UK’s waters.”