MCA restructuring to meet new challenges
Bigger ships, offshore renewables, safety, means honing objectives for 21st century...

Peter Cardy, MCA Chief Executive, has announced decisions about the shape and direction of the Agency following consultation with staff. He said that there had been a huge amount of thoughtful, detailed and constructive staff feedback, all of which had been carefully considered.

Peter Cardy emphasised that that the new structure would maintain the MCAs core objectives in maritime safety; develop and encourage specialist managers whilst retaining the Agencys well deserved global reputation. Her Majestys Coastguard rightly has a reputation for being the best in the world. Mr Cardy said that we must maintain that position, and recognise new challenges on the horizon.

Those new challenges include the growth of offshore renewable energy sources whilst maintaining the safe passage of ships into the United Kingdom. Ships are getting progressively larger, he said, and the introduction of new and more complex technology on board ships presents significant new challenges.

The Agency must work through international bodies to influence discussions about seafarer fatigue. The Agency will also continue encouraging ship owners to join the UK Ship Register and fly the Red Ensign, with the obvious commercial benefits of joining the worlds pre eminent quality Register. Safety in the fishing industry is another area the Agency wants to focus on. And advances in search and rescue technology along with vessel traffic monitoring present new opportunities, he said

Mr Cardy made it clear that direct responsibilities within the Civil Contingencies Act in the MCAs role as a Category 1 responder must be taken very seriously as we all face the variable effects of climate change on our lives for the foreseeable future.

He said that although financial targets were not the driver of the proposed changes, the Agency can only undertake those tasks which it is funded to carry out. That means working smarter, not harder, and the implementation of the shared services programme across the Department for Transport is an opportunity to reshape the Agency to meet these new challenges.

In short he said, the Agency must hone its targets and objectives and be ready for the challenges of the 21st century, within the reality of competing demands on public spending and recognising the need to maintain consistency and high levels of technical expertise amongst its staff.

Peter Cardy thanked all the staff for taking such a positive approach. He said it was a testament to the quality of the people at the MCA that they had gripped the opportunity to engage with this process which would change the way they work.