Battle to bring back lifeboat goes on
Last updated 05:43, Friday, 03 October 2008
CAMPAIGNERS outraged over the removal of the Burgh by Sands rescue boat have pledged to fight on if MPs’ calls to bring it back fail.
The 20-year-old vessel, based at Burgh by Sands, was removed in July by HM Coastguard because it does not meet safety standards and the Government has indicated it will not be replaced.
But residents along the Solway Coast say the move has put lives at risk. Jim Eldridge, a Bowness-on-Solway resident and former coastguard, said Maritime and Coastguard Agency arguments that Silloth’s lifeboat could cover rescue missions in the inner Solway Firth are “ridiculous”.
He said: “Now the Solway is unprotected. If you have a low tide it is too shallow for the lifeboat. The Silloth lifeboat got stuck at Annan for an hour when it was attempted.
“If people have to wait for a high tide they will drown. It’s a way of saving money, but what value do you put on a person’s life?”
Penrith and the Border MP David Maclean said news of the decision not to replace the boat was broken to him by Jim Fitzpatrick, a minister at the Department for Transport.
Mr Maclean said: “The Government must either bring back the boat or, if it is faulty, give us a new one.”
Eric Martlew MP, whose constituency covers Burgh by Sands, is meeting with the Chief Coastguard at the House of Commons on Tuesday to discuss the rescue boat’s future.
Residents also fear the 45 minutes it could take a rescue helicopter to reach the area will also prove too long for those in trapped on mud flats.
Since 2002 the Burgh by Sands rescue boat has seen 35 call outs. It is manned by trained local volunteers who only receive minimal expenses for rescue missions.
“Most local people who are adults know the Solway and know when the spring tides are. The people at risk are the visitors, the children, the haafnetters and the fishing fraternity,” said Mr Eldridge.
“I was once called out on New Year’s Day and the fog was down – people get out there and just don’t know which way to turn to get out.”
Hadrians Wall Heritage Ltd, the agency responsible for maintaining and promoting the National Trail which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, has added its voice to the campaign.
Tom Higgins, director of communications, said: “Hadrian’s Wall Heritage is concerned that the removal of the rescue boat may expose visitors and locals who have not heeded local advice and warnings to increased risks.”
Solway Coast residents and members of the Bowness-on-Solway Community Group will meet to consider the next move in their campaign next week.
Mr Eldridge added: “I have not spoken with one person who is not opposed to the removal of the rescue boat – feelings are high. If the councils and MPs fail we will petition.”
The rescue boat campaign will be discussed at the Bowness, Caldbeck and Thursby neighbourhood forum meeting at Anthorn Village Hall, on Tuesday from 7pm.
