Coastguard Stations To Close

26 September 2013, 13:21 | Updated: 12 August 2014, 10:07

The Solent and Portland coastguard stations on the south coast will close next September.

Instead, a new National Maritime Operations Centre will be created at Titchfield near Fareham. 

We're told there'll be no reduction in rescue services. 

The introduction of the national network will enable the NMOC and all the other 10 Coastguard Operation Centres to work together to manage the workload on a national scale. 

They say that in a search and rescue incident, even though the coordination will still be managed by the relevant CGOC, there will be a much bigger and better support network available nationally. 

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: 

"This is an exciting time. 

We are moving into a new era for HM Coastguard that will reinforce the ability of our staff to ensure the safety of seafarers and the public. 

We want to continue being a world-class organisation that is committed to preventing loss of life, improving maritime safety and protecting the marine environment''.