Outcry after Solway lifeboat taken away
Last updated 14:33, Wednesday, 27 August 2008
THERE are fears that that lives could be at risk after a rescue boat covering a stretch of the Solway Firth near Carlisle was taken out of service.
The Burgh by Sands rescue boat has been taken away by the Coastguard – but no replacement has been put in place.
Instead, the RNLI Silloth Lifeboat will cover.
The boat, used to help people in the Carlisle floods of 2005, has been in use for 20 years and covers a patch featuring dangerous tides and sandbanks where several rivers merge into the Solway.
It is one of five similar type boats across the country that are being given a full assessment by the Coastguard, which it says is necessary to maintain safety standards.
But Jim Eldridge, a former Burgh by Sands crewman, says the decision to take a rescue boat away from the Solway is “ludicrous”.
He said he was concerned about safety on the Solway, adding: “The boat covers the upper reaches of the Solway, including the Annan, Esk and Eden.
“It was taken away about eight or 10 weeks ago and has not been replaced.”
Mr Eldridge, chairman of Bowness-on-Solway Community Group, added: “I have written to our MPs because we fear that this could be the start of trying to get rid of this boat.
“Without it, people are being put at risk.”
Carlisle MP Eric Martlew said he was concerned. “We need to have a debate about getting a replacement boat,” he said.
“If it can’t be repaired then we obviously can’t have people risking their lives in an unsafe boat, but we need another one as soon as possible.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it carries out a continuous review as part of its commitment to maintaining and improving safety standards.
A spokesman added the boat was not a “front-line unit” but confirmed it would be away until at least next month before a decision would be taken.
Stuart Southall should read the article before he comments. The answers to the questions he asks are all there. Burgh by Sands boat was first boat on scene during Carlisle Floods and crewmen saved many lives. Silloth RNLI boat is too big for this end of the estuary and Silloth crew do not have the local knowledge that the Burgh crew have - channels, tides, launch and access points etc. Get another and better boat for BBS station
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im opposed to any emergency service being cut, but the only argument for the coastguard boat being kept seems to be the carlisle floods, the fire service now opperate rescue boats for flood situations so without a stronger argument and more statistics to support the burgh boat i do not see the coastguard securing a future for it, unfortunatly.
Posted by mr g hodgeson on 29 August 2008 kl. 22:14