Now Falmouth Coastguards needs you - just as Jeanne Socrates needed them!

Below is an extract from the recently published consultation document from the MCA - in a nutshell Falmouth Coastguard will become a day-time only centre - and in the process lose its present centre of excellence status which it enjoys around the world as international coordinator - which was in action but a few days ago when 67 year old solo English yachts-woman Jeanne Socrates was knocked down off Cape Horn. Here is an extract from her web log:

"To cut a long story short, the Chilean Navy and Falmouth CG both got involved - it was lovely to get the friendly, helpful Falmouth phone calls - an English person at the other end of the phone - no language problems!!! Helping with all that was Bob McDavitt initially - deeply appreciated, Bob - and the American Maritime Mobile Net on 14300 kHz - Bill (KI4MMZ) in particular, with Fred (W3ZU) helping with relay. Good for my morale was chatting to the Pacific Seafarers Net also."

If you make use of FCG's services then be sure to read the consultation document in full - especially be mindful of the fact that - despite the importance of Falmouth's current role - at no time was the station visited and staff interviewed by the team of consultants who put this together!

The document can be viewed and then downloaded from here.

How to Respond



The consultation period began on 16 December 2010 and will run until 24 March 2011; please ensure that your response reaches us by 5pm on that date


To ensure all views are accurately and consistently recorded, the consultation response form is the required form of response.


To make the response process as accessible as possible, responses are invited electronically by the completion of the online questionnaire


Alternatively, you can download and complete the consultation response form provided on our web site http://www.mcga.gov.uk and return by e-mail to: Coastguard.consultation@mcga.gov.uk


Written response forms can be sent to:


HM Coastguard Modernisation Consultation
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
Bay 2/13
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG


When responding, please state whether you are doing so as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If responding on behalf of a larger organisation, please make it clear who is being represented and where applicable, how the views of members were assembled.


To ensure that all those who respond to the consultation are able to do so with the same access to information regarding the proposals, we will not be responding to individual questions. If you have a query, please ensure that you record it on the consultation response form. Answers to frequently raised queries will be posted on our website http://www.mcga.gov.uk for clarification, during the course of the consultation, if necessary.


During the consultation period there will also be a number of public consultation events. Details of dates and locations for these will be published on our website and advertised locally.


If you would like a paper copy of this consultation document, it can be ordered at the address shown above, or by telephoning our message line on 02380 839 587.