Rethinking Garda Rescue: Calls for a Permanent Coast Guard Service

“Rationalizing the rescue service on the lake”. This, according to Giancarlo Angelini, is the watchword for the future.

“The cessation of the summer operation of the Coast Guard patrol boat — writes Angelini — raises once again the issue of a rescue service that, on Garda, is extremely lacking, not in means, because there are even too many, but in terms of rationalization and interventions.”

What Angelini hopes for, in summary, is the establishment of a permanent control service that avoids wasting time and money.

Definition of a Permanent Service

“Having a permanent Coast Guard service — he continues — would implement the wishes of all Garda navigators and the numerous foreign guests arriving here with their boats, whose needs were first represented by the “Garda Community”. It would put into effect that plan for the safeguarding of human life, providing safety and reassurance to crews who are now forced, especially those with families, to three months away from home with all the associated human and social difficulties.”

A permanent and continuous service could also free up motorboats from Guardia di Finanza, police, and carabinieri, which currently operate not when there’s an actual need but, as has been repeatedly highlighted, only when shift schedules demand their presence.

It happens, therefore, that boats nominally assigned to rescue services head out to sea on calm days, and are absent when waves and strong winds would require their presence to ensure safety for navigators.

(…) It is often said that police forces face shortages of personnel and equipment. This is not entirely true! Sometimes, they are poorly positioned and misallocated, leading to serious repercussions on community service and the morale of the personnel involved, who see their professionalism poorly utilized and resources wasted, which is easy to observe.”

The constant presence of the Coast Guard would bring an essential rationalization to Garda.