MSP accuses MoD of compromising mariners' safety
Caithness, Sutherland Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused the MoD of wilfully compromising the safety of mariners in the North and West of Scotland.
Mr Gibson was commenting after news emerged today that, over the weekend, as part of the Joint Warrior war games exercise, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) jammed the Global Positioning System's (GPS) capabilities within 20 miles of warships.
Mr Gibson says: "In the past, these war games have damaged and killed wildlife in the North and West and now it is endangering fishermen and other mariners by hampering their navigation.
"Not content to play fast and loose with the wildlife of the North and West they are now happy to disregard the safety of human life as well.
“In the North Minch distress signals for mariners are effectively silenced because of the GPS jamming. They say it's for our defence but at what cost?
“Given the UK Government's laiser faire attitude towards maritime safety, with the removal of tugs and a wish to close coastguard centres, jamming GPS comes as no surprise.
“It is clear that the MoD have no environmental responsibility plan. Ominously a whale was beached in South Uist at the weekend whilst a pod of whales were beached in the Kyle of Tounge following a recent exercise.
“It is time for the MoD to move these war games out of Scottish waters. They offer little employment, indeed they may impede the agricultural and tourism sectors.
"This incident is just the latest example of their disregard and arrogance.”
