Carmichael calls for meeting on the future of emergency coastguard tug
(Picture: Craig Taylor)
Alistair Carmichael has called on the Government to convene a meeting with Scottish ministers and local authority and industry representatives to discuss the future provision of the emergency coastguard tug for the Northern Isles.
Funding for the Orkney-based vessel is only guaranteed until the end of April 2016.
Mr Carmichael said: “It is essential for the Northern Isles that the contract for the coastguard tug is extended once again. When the service was under threat in 2012, we all saw the huge local opposition to its removal and I had to push my former colleagues in government very hard to help retain the service.
“As he acknowledged in the House of Commons, the transport secretary has seen the vessel for himself on a trip to Orkney, so he knows of its importance in keeping the coastline safe. I am pleased he will meet to discuss this and shall remind him then why this tug was put on station – following the grounding of the Braer – and that it is needed today as much as it ever was.”