Praise for HM Coastguard in Covid testing

Coastguard Rescue Teams in Barra, Lochboisdale, Stornoway and Harris are using coastguard drivers and vehicles to help the NHS with the transportation of completed COVID-19 tests.

Coastguards are supporting by picking up and carrying tests from Barra to the Island’s ferry, with the Lochboisdale Coastguard Rescue Team specifically involved in transporting tests by road to the Berneray ferry terminal.

The final part of the journey is completed by either Harris or Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Teams as they collect samples from the ferry in Leverburgh and carry out the final road transfer to Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway, for laboratory processing.

The journey, in total, is about 140 miles in distance from Barra to Stornoway – including two ferry crossings. These transfers will take place every weekend until the outbreak in Barra is deemed under control by NHS Western Isles.

This support is to ensure that NHS Western Isles are able to conduct widescale testing at weekends, by quickly processing completed tests and reducing further transmission of COVID-19.

HM Coastguard is also supporting the vaccination clinic at Stornoway, with the assistance of the Coastguard Rescue Team in Lewis.

Murdo Macaulay, HM Coastguard Operations Area Commander for the Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber, said: “We take great pride in supporting our local communities during this challenging period and we will continue to do all that we can to help the NHS. Our volunteers are working really hard to help what can be a logistical challenge, in terms of transporting tests between islands due to distance and infrastructure, far more manageable.”

Murdo added: “We are committed to helping the NHS, as a fellow category one responder, but this support does not affect our capability or availability of rescue teams based on the Western Isles to deliver dedicated search and rescue services.”

Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, said: “Coastguard teams have been invaluable in the Western Isles’ response to COVID-19 from day one, as key members of our Pandemic Response Group. They have continued to provide expertise and valuable support over the past 10 months, most recently transporting tests quickly and safely. This multi-agency working has been critical and our partners in the Coastguard have been enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with.”