Shipping minister to visit FCG on 26th April - reception committee needed!

The man with the axe - Shipping Minister to visit Falmouth Coastguard station on the 26th April - give him a big reception.

Please support your CoastGuard.

For how much longer? - ETV Anglian Princess on guard duty in Mount's Bay.

In light of the Transport Committee's intention to review the cuts:

New inquiry: The Coastguard, emergency towing vessels and the Maritime Incident Response Group

The Transport Committee is to conduct an inquiry into the Government’s proposals for modernising the Coastguard. It will also examine the impact of the Government’s decisions not to renew the current contract for emergency towing vessels when it expires in September 2011 and to review arrangements for the Maritime Incident Response Group, which responds to incidents at sea for which fire-fighting, chemical hazard and/or rescue teams may be required.

The inquiry will build on the oral evidence provided to the Committee by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on 8 February. The Committee expects to hear further oral evidence from a range of interested parties, beginning after Easter.

Written evidence would be welcome on these issues from any individual or organisation affected by, or with a view on, the Government’s proposals. This could take the form of a paper or letter written specifically for the Committee or we would be grateful to be copied into responses to the Government’s consultation exercise on the future of the Coastguard service. We would be grateful to receive written submissions by Tuesday 26 April.

For guidance and more information on submitting a response - visit the web site here.