Tuesday 29 June 2010

The axe

I'm sure you are aware of the Governments budget last week and although we are volunteers we are an Agency of the Department of Transport so were expecting some impact.

After several comments from the public in the last few days, I think it would be best to explain what is going on and to assure you all the Coastguard (at this time) haven't been closed down.

Its probably easier to start with what we can do.

We are still an emergency service and will respond to maritime and coastal emergencies.
We can still exercise
We will still prepare and check the equipment to ensure its ready for service.
We can attend to do limited school talks

What we can not do (even voluntary or on foot)

Patrol (accident prevention)
Public Relations (fete's carnivals and other things we do for the town)
Attend meetings where we represent the Coastguard.

Its early days yet on this new way of doing things, but I would like to reassure the public we are doing the best we can to continue the work the Coastguard do, this is just not local this is every Coastguard Station in the Country.
Please continue to use the 999 system to report incidents or concerns, your role in this is very important.

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