17 March 2012 Last updated at 17:25 A rescue has been taking place in the Hebrides after coastguards received reports of a vessel striking rocks off the west coast of Scotland. The 30ft craft raised the alarm after it began taking on water in an area to the south east of Muck, in the Small Isles. Emergency services said one person was on board the vessel. A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said Mallaig lifeboat had been sent to the scene.
News20 December 2011 Last updated at 17:47 Emergency tugs stationed around the UK coast were withdrawn to save money Temporary coverage by two emergency tugs for Scottish waters will run until March 2012, the UK government has said. Tugs hired to carry out Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) duties around the UK coastline were withdrawn earlier this year to save money. Campaigns by councils and politicians saved tugs based on Lewis and Shetland. Beyond March, the oil and gas industry has offered to support the MCA by deploying its chartered vessels in emergencies off the Northern Isles. In October, an interim contract of three months was awarded by the UK government to Invergordon-based JP Knight. The MCA said when that contract came to an end in January a new contract would be offered for tender until March. Scotland Secretary Michael Moore said a long-term ...
News22 November 2011 Last updated at 16:00 The crew of a fishing boat that capsized off Barra in the Western Isles have been rescued by fishermen working from vessels nearby. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the alarm was raised at about 13:30. Barra's RNLI lifeboat was launched to go to the aid of the two fishermen. Stornoway coastguard said the crewmen were picked up by local boats and they were believed to
News5 October 2011 Last updated at 13:06 The successful company would run rescue services out of four bases, including Stornaway At least four companies are competing for a contract to run part of the UK's search and rescue helicopter service. Firms had until Wednesday to submit bids for a new five-year contract to run four coastguard rescue services in Scotland and southern England. Bids have been submitted by Bond, Bristow, a consortium including...
News4 October 2011 Last updated at 12:07 The SNP criticised the UK government for leaving Scotland without cover over the weekend The UK government has made £3m available for the provision of emergency tugs in Scotland for the next three months. Scottish Secretary Michael Moore announced the funding during a visit to Stornoway, on Lewis. Two tugs hired by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were withdrawn from service on Friday. Mr Moore said the funding would be for replacement vessels that would work from Stornoway and Shetland. The SNP has criticised the UK government for leaving Scotland without cover over the weekend. The UK government had said the emergency towing vessels (ETVs) hired by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were too expensive. It said salvage operations should be the responsibility of the ...
NewsNa h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has responded to the second consultation on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for modernisation of the coastguard. Alasdair Allan commented: ‘I was delighted, as I am sure everyone in the islands was, that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have finally recognised the value of keeping both the Stornoway and Shetland Coastguard Stations open on a 24 hour basis. ‘I strongly supported this position in my consultation response. Both the communities served by the Shetland and Stornoway stations fought hard to highlight the importance of the coastguard to their local communities and they should be congratulated for such strong and unified campaigns. ‘Now the MCA are consulting the community again, though this time, based around the assumption that the station is staying open. I believe, as I’m...
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