Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre joins national network
Milford Haven joins the new Coastguard national network and will take on operarions from Swansea Coastguard
Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) is to become part of the new Coastguard national network for the very first time this week.
Work has been carried out at the search and rescue coordination centre to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Milford Haven CGOC will be connected to the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Hampshire and other Coastguard stations around the country, which will be able to offer mutual support during busy periods.
From 6th March 2015, Milford Haven CGOC and the new national network will start to take on operations from Swansea Coastguard.
The changes to Her Majesty’s Coastguard will see the NMOC and 10 other CGOCs around the UK work together to manage the workload. There will be no reduction in rescue resources. The availability of Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats, rescue helicopters and other rescue units will be unaffected.
Carl Evans, Maritime Operations Controller at Milford Haven CGOC, said:
“The way we deliver the coordination of search and rescue operations on our coast and out at sea is changing. But the public won’t notice any difference. If you call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, or issue a mayday broadcast, we will still be here to help you.
“The new national Coastguard network will be able to oversee and assist with operations around the whole of the UK. Here at Milford Haven CGOC we’re now part of this network, so we can call upon help from our fellow Coastguards elsewhere in the country, and also in turn help them out if needed.
“It’s vital to remember though that the rescue teams in your community are unaffected. There will still be the same number of lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams, helicopters and other rescue resources.”
The new national network is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2015.
Notes to Editors
- Pictures of Milford Haven CGOC are available on request.
- An MP3 audio piece with Carl Evans, Maritime Operations Controller at Milford Haven CGOC, is also available on request.
- Further information on the changes to the Coastguard can be found here: http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/her-majestys-coastguard.html
- The plan to reform HM Coastguard was first announced in November 2011 by the then Shipping Minister, Mike Penning MP.
- The new national network – including the NMOC and 10 other Coastguard Operation Centres - is scheduled to be completed and fully operational by the end of 2015. Timetable is below.
| Location | Closure | Join National Network |
|---|---|---|
| NMOC | September 2014 | |
| Solent Coastguard | September 2014 | |
| Portland Coastguard | September 2014 | |
| Falmouth Coastguard | October 2014 | |
| Brixham Coastguard | November 2014 | |
| Holyhead Coastguard | December 2014 | |
| Liverpool Coastguard | January 2015 | |
| Milford Haven Coastguard | February 2015 | |
| Swansea Coastguard | March 2015 | |
| Humber Coastguard | April 2015 | |
| Thames Coastguard | June 2015 | |
| Aberdeen Coastguard | July 2015 | |
| Shetland Coastguard | August 2015 | |
| Belfast Coastguard | September 2015 | |
| Stornoway Coastguard | October 2015 | |
| Dover Coastguard | December 2015 | |
| London Coastguard | December 2015 |
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