Sir,

I am writing to you to ask your readers to help in our campaign to save Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre.

The UK Government has started a process which would close the Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre completely and make the Mumbles in Swansea a part-time station. Night-time cover would come all the way from Southampton. All the local knowledge built up over years would be lost. All this would be happening in one of the busiest ports in the UK, with dangerous cargoes.

The consultation ends on March 24 and we want to make it loud and clear that local people will not part with our local coastguard centre, which looks after people all the way round the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire coastline. Support is starting to come in from tourism operators, boating clubs and, of course, members of the public who want to feel safe while on the coast path or out in their boats.

Please join our campaign. There will be a peaceful protest on Tuesday, February 15, at noon, on the Rath in Milford Haven, gathering at the Bandstand. We will mark the 15th anniversary of the Sea Empress disaster. By unhappy coincidence, it is also the day when Vice Admiral Alan Massey is coming to tell the staff they will be losing their jobs.

If you would like to get involved in the campaign, please ring the hotline on 01437 700700, or sign the online petition on facebook – Save-Milford-Haven-Coastguard. You can also respond to the consultation at http://www.mcga.gov.uk">www.mcga.gov.uk. Or contact me direct on 07910 686 239 or christinegwyther@@btinternet.com.

Christine Gwyther,

Labour Assembly

Candidate,

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire,

73 High Street,

Pembroke Dock.