"Leaving our coastline and our people open to tragedy" is how the Leader of South Ayrshire Council has responded to the news that the front line emergency service provided by Clyde Coastguard will close following the UK government's review of Marine Rescue Coordination Centres.
Councillor Bill McIntosh was speaking after Ministers confirmed the closure of the Clyde Coastguard base in Greenock – the busiest base in Scotland and the second busiest in the UK.
Councillor McIntosh, who had put forward a motion that was agreed by the Council to oppose the closure, said: "While it's encouraging there has been some revision to the government's original proposals, it's appalling the Clyde base closure – which was strongly opposed by communities across the west coast of Scotland – will go ahead.
"Clyde Coastguard is not a 'nice to have' service that we can easily do without. It's a vital service that saves lives – on average ten lives per week – so there is no doubt in my mind this decision is leaving our coastline and our people open to tragedy.
"Jobs, vital local knowledge and lives will all be lost and that's far too big a price to pay. This decision is fundamentally flawed and I would urge a rethink and fast."
Councillor Nan McFarlane, Leader of the SNP group and seconder of the Council motion, added: "As a sailor myself, I know how much the Coastguard service is relied upon and I have very grave concerns about the impact of this closure. How can we expect fishermen, divers, sailors, ferries, commercial traffic and tugs to use our waterways in confidence knowing that help – if needed – will no longer be as readily on hand?
"We should be maximising the use of our coastline and waterways and this decision and its impact on safety could do the exact opposite and that is not a good place to be."