Pembrokeshire’s AMs are worried that the Welsh Assembly Government is not treating the cuts at RMB Chivenor with enough urgency.
The Ministry of Defence plans to reduce rescue helicopter cover at Chivenor from 24 hours to 12 hours – meaning it will take longer for choppers to reach any night time emergencies in Pembrokeshire.
The plans have been condemned by the county’s Conservative politicians who have joined the campaign to keep 24 hour cover at Chivenor.
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has discovered that 90% of
search and rescues carried out in Pembrokeshire involved a helicopter from Chivenor.
Sending choppers from RAF Valley, RNAS Culdrose or MCA Lee on Solent will take up to 41 minutes longer than sending one from the Devon base.
South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns tabled a written question at the Welsh Assembly asking what discussions the Welsh Government had held with the UK Government about the cutbacks.
“I was horrified to discover that no discussions have been held on the issue,” she said.
“This is a vitally important matter and I shall be raising the issue as a matter of urgency.”
Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies added: “Even if a helicopter is sent from the next nearest station at RAF Valley it’s estimated it will still take six minutes longer to reach Pembrokeshire than one from RMB Chivenor. That six minutes could be the difference between life and death to a hypothermic sailor who’s lost at sea.
“It is imperative that the Welsh Assembly Government treats this issue with the sense of urgency that it deserves.”
