24 HOUR COVER AT CHIVENOR TO STAY
November 28, 2011 7:26 PM
North Devon MP, Nick Harvey, has welcomed news that the 24-hour Search & Rescue (SAR) service currently provided by the Sea Kings at RMB Chivenor is saved.
Mr Harvey has campaigned for years to ensure this vital service remains. In early 2010 he presented a petition to Downing Street with just under 18,000 signatures from local residents to save the service, and over the summer and autumn that year he fought a rear guard action against those in Whitehall who wanted to close Chivenor's SAR capability down completely.
In July 2009 the previous Labour government announced plans to reduce SAR coverage to 12 hours a day.
As noted in the government decision today, the Sea Kings will be phased out by 2016 but 24-hour SAR cover will live on after.
Commenting on the news, Nick Harvey said:
"This lifesaving service is of enormous importance, which is all the more relevant given the recent rescue operation for survivors of the sunken cargo vessel in the Irish Sea.
"Chivenor handles more call-outs than either Culdrose in Cornwall or Anglesey in North Wales. Local residents have always understood just how important Chivenor is and that's why thousands fought such a long campaign to save it -- and I am immensely proud that I could help."
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