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Skippers back Malin Head Coast
Guard
10.03.08
THE North West Charter
Skippers' Association (NWCSA) have thrown their
weight behind Malin Head Coast Guard Station.
The skippers believe they have been kept safer over
the years thanks to the "much-respected" local
coastal radio service operating from Ireland's most
northerly point.
Speaking on behalf of the members, the Association's
vice chairman, Patrick O'Doherty, who skippers the
M.V. Bundoran Star said: "We, the NWCSA, have no
wish whatsoever to lose the benefit of this service
for some watered down disjointed alternative." |
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A motion regarding the
proposed closure of Malin Head Coast Guard as a
marine rescue centre was tabled during the
Association's recent AGM.
"We have currently 14 licensed and registered
charter boat services operating from Rosses Point,
County Sligo around the coastline of Donegal Bay to |
Inishowen. The members
stated that, they would be dead set against any such
closure," said the group.
The skippers' endorsement comes after staff at Malin
Head Coast Guard were told last week they could no
longer speak to the media. The order is understood
to have come from HQ last week after two
high-profile rescue missions were co-ordinated by
the Malin Head staff. They involved the rescue of
seven crab fishermen in Lough Swilly and the
airlifting of a Russian fisherman who became ill on
the west coast.
The media ban is understood to relate not only to
the proposed closure of the local centre but to any
rescue missions the staff co-ordinate.
Meanwhile, InishowenNews.com has received a great
response to its on-line petition to help save Malin
Head Coast Guard from closure. We have, so far,
passed on names and addresses from people in
Inishowen, Derry and from as far away as England.
If you would like to add your name to this growing
list, please do so at
wesupportu@inishowennews.com |
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