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More join coastguards' 'strike' More join coastguards' 'strike'
(about 1 hour later)
Fourteen coastguard crews in Wales are refusing to respond to calls in a dispute over insurance.Fourteen 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 overnight, following action taken by Broadhaven and Penrhyn coastguards.The team at the centre of the dispute in Fishguard withdrew its services overnight, following action taken by Broadhaven and Penrhyn coastguards.
Five teams on Gower also joined the action, which is supported by teams in south west England and Scotland.Five teams on Gower also joined the action, which is supported by teams in south west England and Scotland.
The Fishguard crew are to meet the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which said contingencies were in place.The Fishguard crew are to meet the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which said contingencies were in place.
Milford Haven and Swansea coastguards reported no incidents overnight.Milford Haven and Swansea coastguards reported no incidents overnight.
The MCA stressed that other emergency services, including the RNLI, were still operating and said lives would not be put at risk.The MCA stressed that other emergency services, including the RNLI, were still operating and said lives would not be put at risk.
More than 100 miles of coastline in Wales has been affected by the action.More than 100 miles of coastline in Wales 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.The dispute also involves crews from the Severn area of England and the Solway sector in south-west Scotland.
'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.
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.
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.
Brian MacFarlane was injured rescuing an animal four years agoBrian MacFarlane was injured rescuing an animal four years ago
"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."
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.
The MCA said it felt the action was premature as planned discussions had not yet taken place.The MCA said it felt the action was premature as planned discussions had not yet taken place.
Spokesman Fred Caygill said: "Should services be withdrawn, contingencies are in place to ensure that the preservation and saving of life is not compromised."Spokesman Fred Caygill said: "Should services be withdrawn, contingencies are in place to ensure that the preservation and saving of life is not compromised."
Mr Caygill said the civil service injuries benefits scheme, which covers the coastguards, was a national scheme which covered all civil servants.Mr Caygill said the civil service injuries benefits scheme, which covers the coastguards, was a national scheme which covered all civil servants.
"It is therefore not within the MCA's gift to make its own changes to the scheme, although the MCA will be able to represent the view of volunteer coastguards to central government," he added."It is therefore not within the MCA's gift to make its own changes to the scheme, although the MCA will be able to represent the view of volunteer coastguards to central government," he added.
The MCA 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.
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."
Mr Smith was also concerned whether firefighters had the right training to carry out coastal rescues.