‘Life-
14 January 2025
The UK Government has committed not to cut emergency response times for the Stornoway coastguard helicopter.
Fears were sparked that lives would be put at risk arose by controversial proposals
to extend the readiness state to 60 minutes -
The search and rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh in Shetland would also have been affected by the changes.
The proposal has been reversed with the government saying the existing readiness parameters will be maintained.
Former MP Angus MacNeil and Alasdair Carmichael, the MP for Shetland and Orkney, combined forces against the move when the proposal was leaked in 2023.
Mr Carmichael warned the proposed cut could mean the “difference between life and death at sea. This is an essential service which we cut at our peril.”
Since becoming the Western Isles representative in the summer, Labour MP Torcuil Crichton voiced serious concerns with UK aviation and maritime minister, Mike Kane.
Today Mike Kane gave assurances the search and rescue launch times for both aircraft would be maintained at current levels.
Mr Kane told a parliamentary debate at Westminster: “I am delighted to announce that following the review commissioned by the MCA into the proposed changes to the readiness state of search and rescue bases at Sumburgh and Stornoway that agreement for readiness state to be maintained at 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night have been reached.
“I’m sure the Members for Orkney and Shetland and Na h-
During a previous debate led by Alasdair Carmichael in November 2023, the then-
Reacting after the debate, Mr Carmichael said: “This is exceptionally welcome news. It will be a breath of relief for everyone who works and travels at sea around the Northern Isles and indeed across the UK.
“Fundamentally it is a win for islanders, by islanders. If it had not been for the actions of whistleblowers and local journalists to bring these plans to light as early as they did, we might have been faced with a “done deal” and no way to reverse it. As it is, we have shown the difference that can be made by acting fast and refusing to back down on the services that really matter to us.
“I have to give credit to the minister. He has listened, recognised the problem and acted on it. That is not always something we can take for granted.
“It would be nice, of course, if the fight to protect the helicopter service had not been necessary in the first place. The lesson for the government – which should be kept in mind when they consider the future of other services such as the emergency tug in the isles – is that such arguments are not worth having. We should not be forced to fight to protect these basic services – but if we have to, we will.”
Torcuil Crichton said: “It is great news and a great reassurance for the islands. The coastguard helicopter and crews are proven lifesavers in the Western Isles. They provide an incredible service.
“Any increase in the response times could have been the difference between life and death in the seas around our islands. I’m really glad the service will be maintained as it is.”