There is anger and dismay locally in both Orkney & Shetland at the UK Government's announcement yesterday to cut the coastguard rescue salvage tug cover for the UK coastline.
As part of severe cuts the four tugs currently based around the UK will be discontinued from September 2011, meaning the Northern Isles will be without emergency towing cover.
The tug cover was introduced in light of Lord Donaldson's findings into the Braer oil spill in Shetland in January 1993.
With proposed deep water drilling and increased activity to the harsh waters west of Shetland the move is seen as potentially risky and is a massive step backwards in terms of safety around these islands.
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