Far north MP Jamie Stone has criticised cutbacks which saw the Duncansby coastguard having its rope rescue equipment removed.
Mr Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has spoken in a debate about the ‘Future of Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Services’, in which he raised the issue of the removal of rope equipment from coastguard rescue points.
HM Coastguard searching around Wick Bay recently. Picture: Alan Hendry
Trained rope technicians in the coastguard are qualified to go over the cliff if a casualty requires assistance using rope equipment – which is integral to immediate rescue operations.
However, last year both the Duncansby and Dornoch coastguard teams had their rope equipment removed after cuts were implemented across Area 2 stations, with a number closing or being amalgamated. This has given rise to public fears that these removals could be a cost-saving measure, which makes the overall rescue procedure less efficient.
Jamie Stone MP condemned the coastguard cutbacks.
Commenting, Mr Stone said: “If there is an accident at a cliff and somebody falls, we want to get help to them as quickly as possible.
“If rope gear is removed from sites, this could greatly reduce the efficiency of an immediate rescue operation – making it harder for volunteers to get down and assist in recovery.
“This is what makes this issue a matter of life and death, and I strongly believe that when it comes to preventing a death, cutting corners shouldn’t be an option.”