RMT OPPOSES COASTGUARD AGENCY CLOSURES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2016 :: RMTnews 6 R MT stated its opposition to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s plans to reduce the national network of Marine Offices by 2019 through closures. Under the plans Tyne and Plymouth will close next year, Beverley, Harwich and Orpington will close in 2018 and Norwich will be shut by 2019. Marine Offices provide essential administrative and technical support to seafarer Ratings and Officers, particularly in keeping documentation updated and providing services such as eye sight tests. They also provide a base, equipment store and other services for MCA surveyors and inspectors who handle thousands of inspections of domestic and international ships every year which includes carrying out the UK’s Port State Control responsibilities required under international law. The MCA propose a number of changes to its working practices, including moving its Seafarers Documentation System online, a database of surveyor competence and outsourcing of survey and inspection work to ‘Recognised Organisations’ and Red Ensign Group administrations. These proposals clearly amount to an attack on seafarer support and a major de- regulation in survey standards. This government is once again putting the demands of international ship owners, operators and financiers above the needs of UK seafarers. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the MCA’s Marine Office closure plans were on a par with dangerous cuts to coastguards and local tax offices. “These plans would jeopardise the UK’s ability to operate a safe and secure ports network, as well as the future provision of seafarer services. “RMT will fight to keep the Marine Office in Tyne and elsewhere open, to safeguard the future of seafarer services and to promote fast and effective certification of ships working from UK ports,” he said. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that the MCA had only allowed one month for this consultation which contains very serious proposals for the future shape and accessibility of the services Marine Offices provide for seafarers and MCA Surveyors and Inspectors. “RMT has requested that the MCA extend this consultation but the fact remains that the regulator is seeking to reduce access to seafarer services and to outsource vessel Survey and Inspection work to the private sector,” he said. RMT OPPOSES COASTGUARD AGENCY CLOSURES CALMAC: RMT activists joined a Keep Calmac Public protest at the company headquarters in Gourock this month as part of the union's continuing fight to keep the life-line ferry services in public hands. HANDS OFF CAL MAC!