Protecting Highland and Islands’ shores

“Positive and constructive” was how The Highland Council Leader, Michael Foxley, described a meeting in London today (Monday) with UK Shipping Minister Mike Penning over the future of rescue services in waters around the Highlands and Islands. 

Councillor Foxley joined a delegation from Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles Councils in urging the Minister to retain the two emergency towing vessels which are based in Stornoway and Lerwick and also retain the 24-hour Coastguard Stations at Stornoway and Lerwick. 

Councillor Foxley led on the case to retain the emergency towing vessels, which are scheduled to be withdrawn in September as a cost cutting exercise. 

He said: “As well as highlighting the hugely important role the tugs play in keeping our shores safe, we presented the Minister with a number of constructive suggestions for significantly extending the duties and income streams of the emergency towing vessels. We can only hope that the case we presented will have registered and discussions can continue to retain this lifeline service.” 

He highlighted the four recent major incidents in the Minches, which had brought into sharp focus the hugely valuable role played in each by the tug. 

He concluded: “It is absolutely essential that we have adequate cover off our shores. There will be an increase in developments in the oil and gas fields and an increase in the use of marine renewables. There are alternative funding streams available such as the Crown Estates.  This is not the time to be reducing maritime protection especially with the loss of the Nimrod cover. ”