In a previous consultation the Government proposed establishing two Maritime Operations Centres (in the Southampton/Portsmouth area & Aberdeen) and five sub-centres, operating in daylight hours only, as well as retaining the 24 hour centre at Dover which oversees English Channel activity. The Department of Transport have stated that the consultation responses reflected a general acceptance that change and modernisation is necessary, they also expressed concerns over the potential loss of local knowledge and a perceived weakening of operational relationships.

The Government's updated proposals released today create a nationally networked system of Coastguard stations comprising:
• One Maritime Operations Centre in the Southampton/Portsmouth area with a back-up facility at the existing Dover site which will be retained as a 24 hour centre; and
• Eight sub-centres, all operated on a 24 hour basis, located at Falmouth, Milford Haven, Holyhead, Belfast, Stornoway, Shetland, Aberdeen and Humber. The Small station at London is also retained.

Under existing arrangements, neighbouring stations are ‘paired', allowing them to provide back-up to one another when needed. Today's announcement means that one station in each pair is retained.

Under today's proposals the Coastguard stations at Clyde, Forth, Portland, Liverpool, Yarmouth, Brixham, Thames and Swansea would close progressively over the period 2012 to 2014/2015. The station at Solent will be replaced by a new Maritime Operations Centre in the Portsmouth/Southampton area.

A consultation has opened for people to comment on those elements of today's announcement which differ from the original proposals. The new consultation documents can be downloaded at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/consultations/mcga-currentconsultations/consultation_proposals2011.htm

Consultation closing date: 6 October 2011