MONDAY’S announcement, that we’re to lose our search and rescue helicopter at Portland, is dire.
This, while we’re still recovering from the news that our Coastguard co-ordination centre is to close post Olympics.
With our service axed, we are to rely on helicopters from Lee on Solent or RAF Culdrose – 25 and 45 minutes flying time away respectively.
So far, I have refrained from saying that lives will be at risk, as I think comments like this are often unhelpful and even untrue.
However, I believe we are genuinely straying into dangerous territory now.
And these longer response times could cost lives.
What’s more, a helicopter cannot be in two places at once, no matter how fast or efficient it is.
Portland is already one of the busiest SAR areas on the South Coast, busier, in fact, than Lee on Solent.
Armed and fortified with the support of many agencies and individuals, I am pulling as many political levers as I can.
On Wednesday, I caught the Speaker’s eye at Prime Minister’s Questions.
My request to lead a delegation to meet David Cameron was granted.
In addition, I am meeting Transport Secretary, Mike Penning, next week, and I am calling on more than 30 MPs with constituencies on the coast, or near it, to join my campaign.
The iconic sight of the Portland SAR helicopter has brought reassurance to many a heart for countless years.
This must continue.