NorthStar

^ Channel Zero is not the full system used by HMCG, we use both types !!!.

^ They are a reintroduction of a working system, that the MCA thought they knew better !!...

^ Channel Zero pagers were reintroduced due to the fact that the vodaphone paging system was irratic. It was used in Shetland in the 90's. I used it

Mobile phones are not reliable full stop and should not be relied upon in maritime scenarious, they dont always work offshore. The aim of the Sat comm link would be only to activate transmissions of the aerial sites which would still transmit/receive on the required channel (Ch16/0/67/10 etc) Channel 0 pagers are not the newest paging system I am aware that it has been around for over 20 years and also offers voice over transmission All forms of communications are sesceptible to atmospheric and environmental problems and in the same sense cannot be guaranteed if you want to look at it that way. Some of these problems can be overcome by filtering and emergency power supplies at the aerial sites. We need to look at the real threats to the proposals and not some that can be discounted easily. These threats include the loss of local knowledge, the truth that this proposal doesnt really give true resilience, imagine 190 aerial sites (Channel 16) falling to one MOC? It must be pointed out that not every one uses GMDSS as their method of comms (Small fishing boat, small pleasure boat etc) and that if the present system is not continued life will be lost. Start asking questions on how they intend making this work or that work, dont give ideas because you are playing into their hands.

A meeting has also been arrange with the Scottish Goverment minister for Transport who are very much aware of the problem and are looking in how they can give any assistance. I have also contact the MEP Fisheries Minister to appraise him of the situation, however he has responded with the official line after talking with the relevant MCA management. I have since appraised him of the situation and advised him to contact the PCS Union SEC reps for further proof/guidance. I would ask any Fisherman on here to contact their fishing federations over these proposals.

Duplicate

You know as well as me, that there is likely to be an in built allowance just for that type of thing, call it on call allowance, bell allowance or goodwill allowance. We are reknown for showing good will and they will use it. I would not be happy however nor can you prove otherwise. As I said it is a step too far, a more realistic 8 or 10 MRCC's would be more resilience Since you raised it again when I closed it....Can you prove it would not have made any difference, if for example every station had shown solidarity then the MCA's attempt at manning the coast would have fallen at the first hurdle. The MCA did not attempt at running the whole system from the Training center, it was left to various employees to run a type of service from various locations, there would have been no option but to enter into real dialogue and not just the lip service given. With the gaffs that have been launched by the CEO and his side kick RJ I fear that not even fatalities will change the course of action or intentions of the MCA. Their words 'its a done deal', the last Transport Minister is reported to have said when challenged over these ones 'at least we had 3 MOC's'. Yes I am calling for the MCA to be brought back to the table to create new and real propoals, but I am sorry to say that even I realise that change is necessary and we can no longer maintain a 19 station system. For Scotland along we should reduce to 2 mainland MRCC's one in the central belt on in Inverness area. The excuse of 'communications problems' doesnt cut anymore, you might not like it but that is life. Do you really want to go down the Statistics road, Shetlands increase of 12 pct of the national or of Shetlands own stats? You might believe you will get it changed, Im looking at it with rationale, what is going to happen in Scotland is Forth, Clyde and yourself will close. Aberdeen the MOC and Stornoway the day station. Stornoway because the western seaboard needs covering and Aberdeen cant handle it.

Much agreed however some would not be so willing to accept these or any changes. The writing is on the 'bog' wall and putting kilroy was here doesnt hold anymore, the strongest point, as I mentioned earlier, is to push the local knowledge factor and that calling the RNLI or a local CRO is not plausible. We are hitting a brick wall however when one high placed states 'There is nothing we do that is that urgent'.

Wether it be the politians or the MCA the word will be 'the technolgy is available to allow us to achieve this' Questions answered I for one have no faith in what the MCA state after reading this document, if they want to do something they will say anything to achieve it. Between the end of this discussion document and the final station closures they will be able to move the goal posts to their requirement. We cannot yet confirm there will be any reduction in service and reliability yet, this can only be achieved when the MCA undertake a full and comprehensive trial and risk assessment in their proposals, something they have yet to do. Yes I am against these proposals but we have to be realistic, there is no requirement for 19 stations admit it, 10 or 8 max. (Union point not being taken up as its not constructive)

The satcom equipment is adaptable to be used to trigger the relevant aerial sites, instead of being hard wired it would be by satcom. Op at MOC, calls on aerial site up to sat down to terminal out on aerial site.... As I maintain, local knowledge is the only thing that is likely to keep stations opened.

Time to get your head out of the sand peeps. Technology is advancing and Im afraid to say there is no requirement for 19 Stations around the UK, you cant deny that !. Satcom fits now are small and are able to be installed anywhere, even inside buildings and there is no need for the type that were installed previously in Unst. Look how many vessels are satcom fitted nowadays. The only thing that cant be knocked down is local knowledge, however since there might be day station staff available, its a call to them for any knowledge requirements. Yes the MCA have gone over the top, more realistic numbers would be 10 mainland MRCC's and no day stations, thus more reslience. Lets face it too, you didnt help your case when you didnt take industrial action did you, you got stabbed in the back from the MCA as their way of saying thanks for a job well done. As I said, your only hope is Local knowledge, by using small SATCOM units the technology is available now to maintain good and adequate comms until such time as the day station staff can be roused to give further assistance. Face up to reality, times have moved on