Ritchie Supports Coastguard In Assembly Speech

“Having the fishing ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie in South Down, I know
just how important the Bangor Coastguard station is, and the necessity
of maintaining this service which has developed a comprehensive
knowledge of our seas. [caption id="attachment_15413" align="alignleft" width="221" caption="South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has spoken in the Assembly in support of the HM Coastguard. "][/caption] “It must not be ignored that our service operates on a cross-border
basis with the Irish Government, and if it were to be axed we would lose
an absolutely vital resource for protecting people throughout Ireland. “Another difficulty in shifting this service, and depending on a
coastguard station in Liverpool, for instance, is that the island of
Ireland operates with Ordnance Survey at the point of origin which is
totally incompatible with the English mapping system. “The Northern Ireland Coastguard Station is also the only service in the
North to co-ordinate rescue operations both inland and on waterways in
our region.  If it were to close, the amount of essential assistance
given by the Coastguard Station would be greatly diminished and lives
would be put at risk. “The courage of those who devote time to rescue efforts on our shores
must not be taken for granted by government and funding for this centre
must be protected. The British Government must preserve the Coastguard
Station on a full-time basis in Northern Ireland and that must be the
united political message coming from this Assembly.” ]]>