Protest at bid to shut Coastguard station

CAmpAIgners have gathered to protest against the planned closure of the Clyde Coastguard station.

The demonstrators staged a “red flare flotilla” protest last night outside the navy buildings near greenock harbour.

A spokesman said the aim was to show support for the coastguard station, which will close by the end of this year as part of a shake up of the service by the Coalition government in Westminster.

Boats released red flares and members of the public were encouraged to stand on the shore to show their support.

emergencies on the 2500 miles of coastline the station covers will now be dealt with by teams i n northern Ireland.

John Houston, who founded the save Clyde Coastguard campaign, said: “We realise the centre is going to close. That is a given. It would take a miracle now to have that rescinded by the government.

“The event is a show of thanks for the coastguard for their hard work and dedication. We are not going to have this opportunity again.

“red flares indicate distress at sea. I am distressed that the government has chosen to cut a vital emergency service that will cost lives.

“It is going to give me no joy to turn round in five years and say ‘I told you that would happen, I told you people would die as a consequence of this’. I can’t emphasise enough how reassuring it is having these guys on the other end of the radio. They understand the coastline. It is one of the longest in europe and they cover every inch of it very well.”

Other stations which will close in the next few years are For th, Brixham, great Yarmouth, Liverpool, portland, swansea, solent and Thames.