Almost 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the UK Government to reinstate an emergency towing vessel (ETV) on the west coast of Scotland.
The coastguard tug in Stornoway was removed in 2011 under Westminster cost cutting.
Western Isles SNP councillors Rae Mackenzie and Gordon Murray, launched the petition after the Transocean Winner oil rig ran aground in heavy weather while on tow off the Hebrides.
MP Angus MacNeil will formally present the signatures to 10 Downing Street next week.
The MP said: “The UK Government must return the ETV to Stornoway -
"I am delighted to see the community get behind the many calls for the UK government to reinstate the emergency towing vessel on the west coast of Scotland.”
Cllr Gordon Murray said: “People are rightly concerned that there is no protection for the west coast of Scotland and are urging Westminster to act before there is a disaster. The community has spoken – will Westminster listen?”
Petition to reinstate Western Isles coastguard tug gathers support
31 August 2016