– It is very frustrating, says corps leader for Tjøme and Hvasser Red Cross, Arne Magnus Berge. He despairs that they now have to limit the training of volunteers to save money. – We need training to maintain the safety and quality of what we do. In the long run, this could have serious consequences. – Sponsors the authorities The lifeboat on Tjøme uses 250 liters of diesel per hour when it runs at full speed. And it usually does that on assignment, then every second counts. With a conservative estimate with a diesel price of 20 kroner, the price tag will be 5,000 kroner per hour. That is more than the entire rate the Red Cross gets covered by the state, which according to Berge is 4,750 kroner per hour. In addition, there are expenses for equipment, maintenance and practice driving. – We still travel on all assignments. This applies to both pure sea rescue and those who have to be taken to hospital to get help there, but each assignment means that we lose money, says Berge. Many lose out In Bergen, the Red Cross has just inaugurated a new lifeboat. It is mostly located at the quay, and it is close to a financial bang. – Now we are looking at whether we need to reduce patrol sailing and training. It is very unfortunate, since we have a large lifeboat that will work even when the weather is bad, says Terje Hårvik in Hordaland Red Cross. NEW BOAT: The new boat for the Red Cross in Bergen has already been out on several assignments during the first weeks on the water. Photo: Red Cross The rescue company has boats with both volunteers and professionals on board. They fear that coastal preparedness will be weakened if the Storting does not allocate extra money. If there is no extra money, it may be relevant to take out lifeboats and crew, according to acting Secretary General Martin Fuhr Bolstad. Working for an urgent decision State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Lotte Greop Knutsen (Labor Party), says that the government is aware that current fuel prices increase spending for many. Any measures will be considered in connection with the state budget next year, she says. The Conservative parliamentary representative, Mahmoud Farahmand, believes that it is urgent to secure the finances of the lifeboats and that something must be done now. The preparedness at sea is crucial for our skerries, he believes. – An urgent decision can be a solution. I will take it up internally in the Conservative Party first, then we will see if we get to the end of it in the Storting. If not, local authorities, in the form of municipalities and county municipalities, must show up with support, Farahmand believes.
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