§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) fully trained coastguards and (b) auxiliary coastguards were dedicated to staffing operations rooms in MRCCs and MRSCs on 1 April 1990, 1 April 1993, 1 April 1994 and 1 November 1994.
§ Mr. NorrisThis is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 5 December 1994:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.The following table shows the number of (a) fully trained coastguards and (b) auxiliary coastguards dedicated to staffing operations rooms in MRCCs and MRSCs on the dates requested:
40W
Date Fully Trained Coastguards Auxiliary Coastguards 1 April 1990 469.5 419 1 April 1993 450 397 1 April 1994 448 373 1 November 1994 443 377
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 1) if he will list the minimum staffing levels in operation rooms at each of the marine rescue co-ordination centres and sub-centres;
(2) if he will take steps to verify that all standing operational orders, regulations and minutes relating to staffing levels in operation rooms at all marine rescue co-ordination centres and marine rescue sub-centres have been complied with since 1 April 1994.
§ Mr. NorrisThese are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. N. Ainger, dated 5 December 1994:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions as these questions deal with operational matters, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.The following table details the minimum staffing levels per watch in operations rooms at each of the MRCCs and MRSCS:
RCC/MRSC Minimum staffing level per watch MRCC/MRSC Minimum staffing level per watch Clyde 1 SWO 2 WO Dover 1 SO 1 SWO 3 WO Belfast 1 SWO 2 WO Thames 1 SWO 2 WO Oban 1 SWO 2 WO Solent 1 SWO 3 WO Stornoway 1 SWO 2 WO Yarmouth 1 SWO 2 WO Aberdeen 1 SWO 3 WO Humber 1 SWO 2 WO Pentland 1 SWO 2 WO Tyne/Tees 1 SWO 2 WO Shetland 1 SWO 2 WO Swansea 1 SWO 3 WO Forth 1 SWO 2 WO Milford Haven 1 SWO 2 WO Falrnouth 1 SWO 2 WO Holyhead 1 SWO 2 WO Brixham 1 SWO 2 WO Liverpool 1 SWO 2 WO Portland 1 SWO 2 WO
(SO—Station Officer, SWO—Senior Watch Officer, WO—Watch Officer)The information provided relates to Basic Watch Level requirements. The actual staffing levels may be greater where additional operational requirements have been identified.When, unavoidably, Basic Watch Levels cannot be maintained by the use of regular Coastguards, trained Auxiliary coastguards may be used to substitute.The maintenance of required staffing levels in operations rooms at marine rescue coordination centres (MRCCs) and marine rescue sub-centres (MRSCs) is complied with whenever possible. However shortages do occur from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances. These do not affect safety.