Man drowns during Coastguard strike
An angler has died off the west coast of Scotland in the middle of a 48-hour strike by Coastguard staff.
The man, in his 70s, was angling in the Sound of Islay with three others around 4pm on Saturday when he was swept away by a strong current.
The angler, who was wearing waders but not a life jacket, was rescued by helicopter after the alarm was raised and airlifted to hospital in Oban, where he later died.
The rescue operation would normally have been co-ordinated by the Clyde Coastguard team based at Greenock but the station was unmanned because of the strike action which had been under way at the country's five control centres since Friday evening. Consequently, colleagues from Belfast handled the emergency.
Union leaders claimed yesterday that although the outcome may not have been any different, the staff who co-ordinated the rescue from Northern Ireland may not have known the terrain as well as striking coastguard employees in Scotland.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) also claimed that the UK Government had been warned about the potential for fatalities ahead of the latest industrial action over a below-inflation pay rise.
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said Belfast Coastguard had tasked an RNLI lifeboat, local coastguard rescue teams and a search and rescue helicopter to respond and that all resources had been dispatched within eight minutes. He added that the crucial element in the death was the lack of a life jacket rather than from where the rescue was being co-ordinated.
But Stuart Atkinson, of the PCS, said: "It may have been the case that the team in Belfast did not know the area around the Sound of Islay as well as those at Greenock. That is not to say the outcome may have been any different but at Greenock we sit a test on local knowledge. That is not the case in Belfast. We offered assistance to Belfast but no phone call came back to us.
"We warned the government before going into this action that lives were being put at risk but it was content to let the strike go ahead."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: "Unfortunately, despite the fast and thorough emergency response, the gentleman later died in hospital.
"We have always said that local knowledge resides with the local lifeboat crews who all know their patch exceptionally well and the fact the operation was co-ordinated from Belfast would have had no impact whatsoever. If people are going angling then for heaven's sake wear a life jacket."
It is understood the man slipped while angling and may have gone into shock after entering the water which was just 10 degrees Centigrade while his waders filled. His body was recovered from the water almost a mile away.
Striking staff returned to work last night after their latest stoppage.
Over the weekend Forth Coastguard Station was closed, with calls being diverted to Aberdeen, while on Saturday all calls to Clyde Coastguard were being handled by the control centre in Belfast.
Demonstrations also took place on the picket lines in Greenock and Aberdeen.
Jim Mather, the local MSP and tourism minister, said: "My heart goes out to the family and friends of the angler. Given the swift response and the professionalism of the rescue services, it is clear that the Coastguard assessment of rescue is fair and reasonable."
Councillor Robin Currie, who lives on Islay, added: "Obviously, we'd prefer there was no industrial action but I'm confident all that could have been done was. The lifeboat is based on the Sound of Islay and the currents there are very fast."
The MCA said that while it had no year-on-year figures to compare weekend call-out rates with as a result of industrial action last year it had been a "fairly routine" two days.
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Posted by: Alkie, NYC on 10:17pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Coast Guard spokesidiot: "If people are going angling then for heaven's sake wear a life jacket."
What a deflection of fault.
Your job is to SAVE LIVES. You thought it more important to be on strike for a few extra dollars, even though you're compensated more than enough, and this man's life is gone because of your selfishness. On top of that, you try to blame the man.
Notice how defensive the entire CG is about it, saying that it wouldn't have mattered if the CG had not been on strike. That's a load of rubbish if I've ever heard it.
You have hell to pay.
Coast Guard spokesidiot: "If people are going angling then for heaven's sake wear a life jacket."
What a deflection of fault.
Your job is to SAVE LIVES. You thought it more important to be on strike for a few extra dollars, even though you're compensated more than enough, and this man's life is gone because of your selfishness. On top of that, you try to blame the man.
Notice how defensive the entire CG is about it, saying that it wouldn't have mattered if the CG had not been on strike. That's a load of rubbish if I've ever heard it.
You have hell to pay.
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 11:23pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Give it a rest. People are allowed to go on strike, we abolished slavery some time ago. It's fairly clear to me that this unfortunate gentleman may have died anyway. But then I am not a hysteric. But congragulations for not mentioning alcohol for once in your misbegotten life.
Give it a rest. People are allowed to go on strike, we abolished slavery some time ago. It's fairly clear to me that this unfortunate gentleman may have died anyway. But then I am not a hysteric. But congragulations for not mentioning alcohol for once in your misbegotten life.
Posted by: Alkie, NYC on 11:48pm Sun 20 Jul 08
People are not slaves to their work, but when they take a job, they do not have the right to walk out on it. That's the problem with Scots -- they feel no obligation to their word. Because these indolent miscreants thought they didn't have to go into work, a man is dead who otherwise wouldn't be dead.
How low is it that the CG spokesperson blamed the death on the victim?
People are not slaves to their work, but when they take a job, they do not have the right to walk out on it. That's the problem with Scots -- they feel no obligation to their word. Because these indolent miscreants thought they didn't have to go into work, a man is dead who otherwise wouldn't be dead.
How low is it that the CG spokesperson blamed the death on the victim?
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 12:13am Mon 21 Jul 08
Yes they do have a right to walk out of their work it's called strike action, it is regulated by employment law, and is entirely legal. You may support indentured slavery but the Scots don't.
It is quite clear from the story that the unfortunate man would probably have lost his life anyway. Part of the reason for this dispuite is because changes in working practices will mean that local knowledge is lost, and people will be put at further risk because of the proposed changes to the service provided. So they are not just striking about themselves, they are also concerned about other people.
But you carry on calling decent men and women ''indolent miscreants''. You, sir, are a nutter.
Yes they do have a right to walk out of their work it's called strike action, it is regulated by employment law, and is entirely legal. You may support indentured slavery but the Scots don't.
It is quite clear from the story that the unfortunate man would probably have lost his life anyway. Part of the reason for this dispuite is because changes in working practices will mean that local knowledge is lost, and people will be put at further risk because of the proposed changes to the service provided. So they are not just striking about themselves, they are also concerned about other people.
But you carry on calling decent men and women ''indolent miscreants''. You, sir, are a nutter.
Posted by: Westhighlander, West Highlands on 12:29am Mon 21 Jul 08
Observer - don't even rise to it - he is a nutter, knows nothing, been nowhere. Just let him rant his nonsense.
Observer - don't even rise to it - he is a nutter, knows nothing, been nowhere. Just let him rant his nonsense.
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 12:45am Mon 21 Jul 08
I know, usually I do ignore him but at times it is good to vent your spleen.
I know, usually I do ignore him but at times it is good to vent your spleen.
Posted by: Alkie, NYC on 12:58am Mon 21 Jul 08
The only thing to indicate that this man would have died even if the immoral strike hadn't been happening was what the UNION for the Coastguard said!
Ha, if ever there were a biased source. Shame on The Herald for taking the UNION's word at face value.
A man is dead while the greedy money grubbers at the Coastguard enjoyed a PAID day off, abandoning their posts.
Some people call these men heroes. I call them scumbags.
The only thing to indicate that this man would have died even if the immoral strike hadn't been happening was what the UNION for the Coastguard said!
Ha, if ever there were a biased source. Shame on The Herald for taking the UNION's word at face value.
A man is dead while the greedy money grubbers at the Coastguard enjoyed a PAID day off, abandoning their posts.
Some people call these men heroes. I call them scumbags.
Posted by: Alkie, NYC on 1:02am Mon 21 Jul 08
They claim the water was 10 degrees C.
If that is the case, 1/2 of all people who are in 10 degree water can survive for more than 50 minutes.
Less than 5% die under 20 minutes.
I can guarantee that if competent Coastguard officers familiar with the area had been on their DUTY this man would be alive today.
But you want to accept what The Herald cites as an authority (the Union spokesperson, the same scumbag who blamed the death on the victim) without any knowledge about the human body and its ability to survive in different temperatures.
The Coastguard officers who were supposed to work today are traitors and should be prosecuted for dereliction of duty that resulted in death.
They claim the water was 10 degrees C.
If that is the case, 1/2 of all people who are in 10 degree water can survive for more than 50 minutes.
Less than 5% die under 20 minutes.
I can guarantee that if competent Coastguard officers familiar with the area had been on their DUTY this man would be alive today.
But you want to accept what The Herald cites as an authority (the Union spokesperson, the same scumbag who blamed the death on the victim) without any knowledge about the human body and its ability to survive in different temperatures.
The Coastguard officers who were supposed to work today are traitors and should be prosecuted for dereliction of duty that resulted in death.
Posted by: Westhighlander, West Highlands on 6:02am Mon 21 Jul 08
Alkie - I reckon the only thing you know about body temperatures is the bit that overheats your brain - or what used to be your brain!
Alkie - I reckon the only thing you know about body temperatures is the bit that overheats your brain - or what used to be your brain!
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 8:30am Mon 21 Jul 08
You must be the only person in the world who thinks that strikers get paid for going on strike. If that was the case we would all be on strike every day, and work would be a hobby.
You must be the only person in the world who thinks that strikers get paid for going on strike. If that was the case we would all be on strike every day, and work would be a hobby.
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 8:37am Mon 21 Jul 08
Labour should pay the workers and the Tame Unions should stop paying Labour.
Public service workers have no option but to strike in the face of below inflation wage rises that amount to wage cuts. We should value these heroes, not be parsimonious with their livelihoods. Labour millionaires are too good to themselves.
Labour should pay the workers and the Tame Unions should stop paying Labour.
Public service workers have no option but to strike in the face of below inflation wage rises that amount to wage cuts. We should value these heroes, not be parsimonious with their livelihoods. Labour millionaires are too good to themselves.
Posted by: a bit of balance, sanity on 9:12am Mon 21 Jul 08
Normally I am with West Highlander and tend to regard Alkie’s dribbling as one would the output of a particularly incontinent dog. You try not to step in it and just keep moving on. But every now and then the stink is too rank.
Alkie normally can take the high ground as his monomania on alcohol tends to make the rest of us assume he has some knowledge on the subject.
On this occasion, even the little knowledge I have exceeds his uttering.
I was up in Port Askaig, main harbour on the Sound of Islay and base station for the Islay lifeboat a week ago. There is significant tidal race caused by the way Islay and Jura create a barrier to the sea currents. At the other end of Jura this gives rise to Corrievrecken a whirlpool classed by the Royal Navy as unnavigable . The Sound of Islay is not as bad but it is rated too dangerous for swimming.
What pontificating Alkie fails to mention in his big boys book of numbers on survival times in 10 degree water is that none of the survivors were men in their seventies who were not wearing flotation aids and who were wearing thigh high waders which instantly fill with water and drag you down. Sadly I would not have given odds on the fisherman’s survival even if the Post Askaig lifeboat was launched the moment he was swept away and not 8 minutes later. But that is just my opinion.
The facts are that Alkie can’t understand that in the UK you do not get paid when you are on strike and that Alkie can’t read that the person saying the strike made no difference is a MCA spokesman (the employers) not a PCS (the Union) spokesman who actually tries to infer that the man might have been saved if the strike had not been on. (in my opinion that is a fairly shameful thing that will do nothing for the grieving process of the deceased’s family and friends – but then neither will Alkie’s ramblings ,hence my deciding to post)
I always thought NYC stood for New York City but the latest ramblings suggest Not Yet Competent might be nearer the mark.
Normally I am with West Highlander and tend to regard Alkie’s dribbling as one would the output of a particularly incontinent dog. You try not to step in it and just keep moving on. But every now and then the stink is too rank.
Alkie normally can take the high ground as his monomania on alcohol tends to make the rest of us assume he has some knowledge on the subject.
On this occasion, even the little knowledge I have exceeds his uttering.
I was up in Port Askaig, main harbour on the Sound of Islay and base station for the Islay lifeboat a week ago. There is significant tidal race caused by the way Islay and Jura create a barrier to the sea currents. At the other end of Jura this gives rise to Corrievrecken a whirlpool classed by the Royal Navy as unnavigable . The Sound of Islay is not as bad but it is rated too dangerous for swimming.
What pontificating Alkie fails to mention in his big boys book of numbers on survival times in 10 degree water is that none of the survivors were men in their seventies who were not wearing flotation aids and who were wearing thigh high waders which instantly fill with water and drag you down. Sadly I would not have given odds on the fisherman’s survival even if the Post Askaig lifeboat was launched the moment he was swept away and not 8 minutes later. But that is just my opinion.
The facts are that Alkie can’t understand that in the UK you do not get paid when you are on strike and that Alkie can’t read that the person saying the strike made no difference is a MCA spokesman (the employers) not a PCS (the Union) spokesman who actually tries to infer that the man might have been saved if the strike had not been on. (in my opinion that is a fairly shameful thing that will do nothing for the grieving process of the deceased’s family and friends – but then neither will Alkie’s ramblings ,hence my deciding to post)
I always thought NYC stood for New York City but the latest ramblings suggest Not Yet Competent might be nearer the mark.
Posted by: Observer, Glasgow on 9:57am Mon 21 Jul 08
I think the voice of the Union guy was one of panic. When people like these guys, and firefighters, go on strike, they don't really. They are geared up to respond to emergencies because that is what they are programmed for. Look at when he says
[quote]We offered assistance to Belfast but no phone call came back to us.[/quote]
I don't think it should be beyond the capacity of governments to ensure that people like this don't need to go on strike.
I think the voice of the Union guy was one of panic. When people like these guys, and firefighters, go on strike, they don't really. They are geared up to respond to emergencies because that is what they are programmed for. Look at when he says
We offered assistance to Belfast but no phone call came back to us.
I don't think it should be beyond the capacity of governments to ensure that people like this don't need to go on strike.
Posted by: Pete, Glasgow on 1:36pm Mon 21 Jul 08
The most shameful part of this episode is the PCS representative insinuating that the poor man's life might have been saved if the strike had not taken place. Trying to use this situation to advance their grievenace (which may well be legitimate) is despicable.
I would have thought that PCS would be relieved that the finger of blame was not being pointed at them and accepted the that this was nothing more than a tragic accident.. It would appear that PCS has lost all sense of common decency and common sense.
The most shameful part of this episode is the PCS representative insinuating that the poor man's life might have been saved if the strike had not taken place. Trying to use this situation to advance their grievenace (which may well be legitimate) is despicable.
I would have thought that PCS would be relieved that the finger of blame was not being pointed at them and accepted the that this was nothing more than a tragic accident.. It would appear that PCS has lost all sense of common decency and common sense.
Posted by: terry the ferry, islay on 12:32am Thu 24 Jul 08
A s a member of the lifeboat crew who participated in the recovery of the casualty. I would like to say that the coastguard strike had no adverse effects on our attempted rescue, in some ways the response time may have been shortened as the Irish guys scrambled the helo at the same time as the lifeboat. unfortunately it was a cold and windy afternoon in the sound and the casualty did not survive. This was a very sad and upsetting situation for everyone involved. My thoughts are with the gentlemans family at this time.
A s a member of the lifeboat crew who participated in the recovery of the casualty. I would like to say that the coastguard strike had no adverse effects on our attempted rescue, in some ways the response time may have been shortened as the Irish guys scrambled the helo at the same time as the lifeboat. unfortunately it was a cold and windy afternoon in the sound and the casualty did not survive. This was a very sad and upsetting situation for everyone involved. My thoughts are with the gentlemans family at this time.
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