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Changes to coastguard service revealed                23/11/11

Stornoway Coastguards  will be saved in a revamp of the network, Shipping Minister Mike Penning has reconfirmed

The proposal to axe the Stornoway station resulted in public outrage which forced the UK Government to back down in July.

Mr Penning revealed changes to create a nationally networked system of coastguard co-ordination centres. It comprises one Maritime Operations Centre, to be established in Fareham, Hants, with a back-up facility at the existing Dover coordination centre, both operating on a 24 hour basis.

There will be eight Coastguard Centres, all operated on a 24 hour basis, located at Falmouth, Milford Haven, Holyhead, Belfast, Stornoway, Shetland, Aberdeen and Humber. The station at London is also retained.

However, Western Isles maritime emergencies may not necessarily be co-ordination by Stornoway as before.

Mike Penning said: "After many years of uncertainty, these reforms provide a clear plan for the future of Her Majesty’s Coastguard. They will deliver a resilient and fully networked national rescue coordination service. They will make much better use of the talents and skills of our Coastguards and will provide more interesting and rewarding work with better pay.”

Under the plans the coastguard stations at Forth, Clyde, Great Yarmouth, Liverpool, Thames, Swansea, Brixham and Portland will close progressively by 31 March 2015. The centre at Solent will be replaced by the new Maritime Operations Centre.

While a rescue coordination function will no longer be required in these locations, new coastal operational hubs - providing better leadership, support and training for the volunteers of the Coastguard Rescue Service - will be established at the existing sites at Liverpool, Swansea and Thames, as well as in the Clyde area, and through the further development of the MCA’s site at the former HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent.

MP Angus Brendan MacNeil said: “There was a lot of work by many people, for myself there were many words – both written and spoken some public, some private all to achieve the one aim, to save the Coastguard Station in Stornoway and I am glad this has been achieved.”