Marine rescue services - Jobs vital to communities

THERE are suggestions that marine rescue stations at Valentia in Kerry and at Malin Head in Donegal are to be replaced by a new centre at Shannon and another in central Dublin.

Though a final decision has not yet been made it is very difficult to grasp the logic of closing down or downgrading stations at either end of our western seaboard. The staff at these stations have an intimate knowledge of the coastline under their supervision and have shown the value of that experience on numerous occasions. In very many instances catastrophe has been averted and lives saved by this deep, local familiarity.

Technologists will argue that modern communications mean that the location of these centres is irrelevant. If that is the case why are the new centres needed? Surely the right thing to do is to upgrade Valentia and Malin Head. By doing this we would honour a great tradition and safeguard the knowledge built up over generations. Almost as importantly we would protect justifiable state jobs in areas where employment is indeed precious. By upgrading these centres we would not just be helping those in jeopardy at sea but sustaining communities in jeopardy on our coast.