Oil & Gas UK: Concerns On Future of Coastguard Services
Robert Paterson of Oil & Gas UK, today (19 May) gave evidence in Stornoway for the House of Commons Transport Committee’s inquiry into the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) proposed modernisation of coastguard services. He said: “Oil & Gas UK broadly accepts the rationale for modernisation of the coastguard service but our members have identified a number of concerns which should be taken into account before restructuring of this vital service takes place.”
“Oil & Gas UK believes the scale of the proposed changes could potentially affect a response to offshore oil and gas emergencies. We would strongly support Aberdeen as the location for the northern Maritime Operations Centre (MOC). Many years of constructive interaction between the industry and the coastguard in this area have established strong links and a rich body of local knowledge”, the health and safety director of Oil & Gas UK stated.
Powerful Case
“There is also a powerful case to be made for the retention of daytime operated sub-centres at locations with existing connections to, and extensive knowledge of, the offshore oil and gas industry. Sub-centres in Liverpool and Shetland, which are optimally positioned to support significant oil and gas operations east and west of Shetland and in the east Irish Sea area, should be retained. Oil & Gas UK members also favour the retention of a sub-centre in Great Yarmouth where there are particularly strong links between companies operating in the southern North Sea and the Great Yarmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
Emergency Preparedness
“Oil & Gas UK strongly urges the retention of the MCA’s Offshore Energy Liaison (OEL) team, which currently provides crucial liaison between the coastguard and our member companies as well as significant specialist support to oil and gas installations. If we were to lose the OEL team, it would only add to the workload of the remaining staff and we fear this could have an adverse effect on the service provided by MCA in support of the industry’s emergency preparedness arrangements.
“Finally, we would urge caution regarding the reliance on new or upgraded communication and IT infrastructure for the successful implementation of the modernisation proposals. Experience tells us that these major projects need to be well managed from the outset as part of an overall approach that considers and responds to all barriers to success.”