In regards to the closure of the Kitsalino Coast Guard base, the annual savings were estimated to be under one million dollars.
Steven Harper, the minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Keith Ashfield and our local MP, James Lunney have all stated at some point that the cost savings will be achieved with a minimal increase in risk to boaters.
Everyone who has been involved in an emergency response as a responder or casualty knows that response time is critical.
The additional 25 minutes taken for the hovercraft to respond to this immediate area can easily be the difference between saving a burning or sinking vessel or losing the vessel completely.
This involves needless loss of property and possibly loss of life — especially if the occupants end up in the water.
It also assumes that the hovercraft is available and not involved in a response to a previously assigned emergency.
In which case there would be no professional responders available at all. Simultaneous marine emergencies are not uncommon in periods of high winds most notably if they come up suddenly so this is a very real possibility.
Saving that little money can easily be achieved in other areas. A little reallocation of money from the multibillion dollar submarine program which seems unable to provide working submarines would be a good place to start.
It offends voters when politicians look straight into a news camera and knowing lie to the electorate.
This practice regarding any subject is disgusting and dishonest but to lie so comfortably about an issue where lives will be put at risk for so little benefit is totally without morals or integrity. It would be an unprecedented and courageous act for the federal government to admit it was wrong and reverse the decision to close that base.
Captain Ray Bethell
Qualicum Beach
