Last Call to Save Gt Yarmouth Coastguard

[MY littleboat]

With very little mention of this important meeting, please read the article below as this meeting really is the last chance to save our coastguard. For once NCC are looking at a clear and unified direction - I just hope it is not too little too late.

Following a meeting of Norfolk County Council last month, where a motion by Paul Rice calling for the government to reconsider its decision to close the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre was unanimously passed , an open public meeting is to be held in order to gather support.

Mr Rice said anyone interested in getting involved with, or supporting the move to reverse the government’s decision to close the control room, is invited to an open meeting at County Hall on Monday, February 27 2012, at 6pm.

He said: “We would like any individual, club or organisation with maritime links such as port users, local companies, yacht clubs for example to come along. Also, of course, any Broads users are welcome to attend as they have a vested interest in keeping the control room open too.

“The purpose of the meeting will be to get those interested together and decide on the best way to take our campaign forward. I look forward to seeing people on the evening.â€

Mr Rice said the decision to close the Havenbridge House control made no sense at all.

“To my mind local knowledge saves lives. There are numerous examples of where this is the case, including only last year when local knowledge helped save the life of a girl buried in the sand.â€

“What makes no sense either is that there is every likelihood of an increase in demand with more traffic to wind farms, ship to ship oil transfer off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast and increased traffic from Harwich to Zeebrugge.â€

“You can also add the fact that there is a big increase of ‘stay-cations’ on the Broads and to local beaches to the mix.â€

If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like to either give your support or request further information, Mr Rice can be contacted on 07920 286622 or email paul.rice@norfolk.gov.uk.