This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6569075.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| More join coastguards' 'strike' | More join coastguards' 'strike' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 18 coastguard crews in Wales are refusing to respond to calls in a dispute over insurance. | About 18 coastguard crews in Wales are refusing to respond to calls in a dispute over insurance. |
| The team at the centre of the dispute in Fishguard withdrew its services on Wednesday, following action taken by Broadhaven and Penrhyn coastguards. | |
| Teams on Gower and from Porthcawl to Chepstow also joined the action, which is backed by teams in south west England and Scotland. | Teams on Gower and from Porthcawl to Chepstow also joined the action, which is backed by teams in south west England and Scotland. |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said contingencies were in place. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said contingencies were in place. |
| Meanwhile, Milford Haven and Swansea coastguards reported no incidents overnight. | Meanwhile, Milford Haven and Swansea coastguards reported no incidents overnight. |
| The MCA, who met the Fishguard coastguard team on Thursday, stressed that other emergency services, including the RNLI, were still operating and said lives would not be put at risk. | |
| Joining the Gower coastguard crews in the action from midnight were teams from the Cardiff sector, which includes Porthcawl, Llantwit Major, Barry, Penarth and Chepstow. | Joining the Gower coastguard crews in the action from midnight were teams from the Cardiff sector, which includes Porthcawl, Llantwit Major, Barry, Penarth and Chepstow. |
| A large part of the south and west Wales coastline has been affected by the action. | A large part of the south and west Wales coastline has been affected by the action. |
| The dispute also involves crews from the Severn area of England and the Solway sector in south-west Scotland. Altogether 21 crews out of 378 in the UK are taking action. | The dispute also involves crews from the Severn area of England and the Solway sector in south-west Scotland. Altogether 21 crews out of 378 in the UK are taking action. |
| 'Mixed feelings' | 'Mixed feelings' |
| It centres on volunteer Brian MacFarlane, who damaged his knee while rescuing an animal from a cliff face four years ago. | It centres on volunteer Brian MacFarlane, who damaged his knee while rescuing an animal from a cliff face four years ago. |
| The 38-year-old father subsequently lost his main job as a residential social worker, and claims he has not been given fair compensation. | The 38-year-old father subsequently lost his main job as a residential social worker, and claims he has not been given fair compensation. |
| But a spokesman for the MCA said it had paid Mr MacFarlane "substantial amounts". | But a spokesman for the MCA said it had paid Mr MacFarlane "substantial amounts". |
| "Payments also continue to be made to Mr MacFarlane from the Civil Service Injuries Scheme and the total package compensates him for loss of his previous full-time work," he added. | "Payments also continue to be made to Mr MacFarlane from the Civil Service Injuries Scheme and the total package compensates him for loss of his previous full-time work," he added. |
| Fishguard coastguards said they had "mixed feelings" about withdrawing search and rescue cover, but said they had written to the MCA on 9 April asking for their concerns to be addressed within 10 days. | Fishguard coastguards said they had "mixed feelings" about withdrawing search and rescue cover, but said they had written to the MCA on 9 April asking for their concerns to be addressed within 10 days. |
| Brian MacFarlane was injured rescuing an animal four years ago | Brian MacFarlane was injured rescuing an animal four years ago |
| Station Officer John Davies said the chief coastguard had initially asked for a meeting after the deadline. | Station Officer John Davies said the chief coastguard had initially asked for a meeting after the deadline. |
| He said: "We said we would make ourselves available at any time within the 10 days but they did not seem able to do that. Fishguard coastguards are disappointed about this. | He said: "We said we would make ourselves available at any time within the 10 days but they did not seem able to do that. Fishguard coastguards are disappointed about this. |
| "We are on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, yet coastguard managers can not make a meeting to talk about such an important matter, within 10 days." | "We are on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, yet coastguard managers can not make a meeting to talk about such an important matter, within 10 days." |
| As a trade union we would not want to do anything which would undermine their position Mike Smith FBU | As a trade union we would not want to do anything which would undermine their position Mike Smith FBU |
| Mr Davies added that coastguard rescue officers were willing to risk themselves to save others, but not to put their families' welfare and financial wellbeing at risk. | Mr Davies added that coastguard rescue officers were willing to risk themselves to save others, but not to put their families' welfare and financial wellbeing at risk. |
| The officers are technically part-time employees of the MCA for the period they are called out, but all hold regular employment and see themselves as volunteers. | The officers are technically part-time employees of the MCA for the period they are called out, but all hold regular employment and see themselves as volunteers. |
| A spokesman said the MCA was "deeply concerned" about the withdrawal of services, and had offered to set up a working group with the Fishguard coastguards to discuss their concerns. | A spokesman said the MCA was "deeply concerned" about the withdrawal of services, and had offered to set up a working group with the Fishguard coastguards to discuss their concerns. |
| "We don't want them to put themselves at risk and be heroes, but to get on with the job and rescue fellow citizens where they can. | "We don't want them to put themselves at risk and be heroes, but to get on with the job and rescue fellow citizens where they can. |
| Other coastguards teams have stopped in sympathy | Other coastguards teams have stopped in sympathy |
| "If by chance they are injured they will be compensated until they get better and can return to work." | "If by chance they are injured they will be compensated until they get better and can return to work." |
| The MCA has said it felt the action was premature, but contingencies were in place "to ensure the preservation and saving of life was not compromised." | The MCA has said it felt the action was premature, but contingencies were in place "to ensure the preservation and saving of life was not compromised." |
| It said the cover, where necessary, would draw upon the help of the fire and rescue service. | It said the cover, where necessary, would draw upon the help of the fire and rescue service. |
| But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said they had not been informed of any request and would not be happy for members to provide cover. | But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said they had not been informed of any request and would not be happy for members to provide cover. |
| Mike Smith, FBU council member for Wales said of the coastguards: "Although they are not in a trade union and it is not a strike as such, they are nevertheless, in dispute. | Mike Smith, FBU council member for Wales said of the coastguards: "Although they are not in a trade union and it is not a strike as such, they are nevertheless, in dispute. |
| "As a trade union we would not want to do anything which would undermine their position." | "As a trade union we would not want to do anything which would undermine their position." |
| Mr Smith was also concerned whether firefighters had the right training to carry out coastal rescues. | Mr Smith was also concerned whether firefighters had the right training to carry out coastal rescues. |