THE SKIPPER of a fishing boat which sank off the Isles of Scilly has criticised proposals to slash the coastguard service.
Stephen Hicks, whose crew were winched to safety from the Ben My Chree in heavy seas, was full of praise for the rescuers who saved their lives.
A month on from the dramatic night-time rescue, he has slammed plans to reduce the role of Falmouth's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
The Government is considering switching the station – which is one of the busiest in the UK – from a 24-hour operation to daytime hours only. Instead the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) suggests there should be just one full-time station, in Hampshire, to handle incidents across the south of England.
The proposals have been met with such vocal opposition across the entire country that the period for consultation has been extended until May 5.
Now Mr Hicks, who fishes from Newlyn, has added his voice to those speaking out against the shake-up.
Having recovered from the loss of the boat, which he co-owned with his brother Jonathan, he cannot see what would be gained by moving operations away from the West.
"They might save a bit shutting Falmouth, but if there is another incident like the Torrey Canyon, they could spend millions cleaning that up," said Mr Hicks. "Where do they stop shutting these things down? At the moment the coastguards monitor every ship that goes between the Scillies and Land's End."
Modern radio communications meant it could be just as easy to communicate with any station, but it had been reassuring to speak to someone relatively close by who knew the area. When the ship started to take on water late on March 10, Mr Hicks initially tried to solve the problem on board. But after crew decided enough was enough, he took to the radio to ask for help just before midnight.
To have your say on the plans to alter the coastguard service, go to www.mcga.gov.uk
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN