Carmichael to lead debate on future of coastguard helicopter service
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a parliamentary debate on the future of the UK’s coastguard helicopter services, to be held on Tuesday 14th January.
Mr Carmichael previously led a debate on the issue in November 2023, following revelations about the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s plans to quadruple the emergency response time for the helicopter service based at Sumburgh in Shetland, from 15 minutes to 60.
During that debate, the then-government committed to a review of the proposals, which was supposed to be published by the end of 2024 but has yet to be made public.
The MCA stated previously that the current “readiness” state of 15 minutes is due to remain in place until at least October 2026 — but “discussions relating to readiness states beyond this date are ongoing.” Following further meetings, however, it emerged that the MCA had already signed a new contract for the future of the Sumburgh service.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Carmichael said:
“I am glad to secure this debate to get some definitive answers on the future of the search-and-rescue helicopter service in the isles. Ministers in the previous government committed to a review which was to report last year but there has been no sign of it as of yet. We cannot wait any longer.
“The planned quadrupling of response times could easily be the difference between life and death at sea. The blunt truth is that the more you strip back these services the more likely it will be that people fall through the gaps and lives are lost.
“The search-and-rescue helicopter at Sumburgh is a blue light service for the isles, no less than an ambulance or a fire engine is in a major city. It is essential to our safety and we cut it at our peril.
“All indications are that the proposed cuts were made on the basis of faulty data so there is every reason to rethink the plans. Reversing the proposals will be a test of basic common sense for the new government – I look forward to hearing what the minister has to say.”