Press Notice No: 131-12
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Posted 13:42 GMT

Forth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, (MRCC), will close on 28 September

There will be no reduction in front line rescue resources, which remain unaffected by the modernisation of HM Coastguard. The Coastguard Rescue Service will continue to provide coastal search and rescue, the search and rescue helicopters and RNLI Lifeboats will also continue to be available for maritime search and rescue operations.
In November 2011 the Government announced the new structure for the nationally networked Coastguard Service which will become fully operational in early 2015. When Forth MRCC closes this week, Aberdeen MRCC will assume responsibility for this part of the coastline and sea.
Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said,

Safety is our top priority and I am confident that HM Coastguard will maintain the same high quality search and rescue service as they always have done.

By 2015, HM Coastguards new network will be operational with a national Maritime Operations Centre at its core. We will deliver a more resilient search and rescue coordination service for the UK, taking full advantage of modern communications technology and enabling any centre to support others across the network during busy periods, thus sharing the work load.

Contact arrangements for HM Coastguard in the Forth area from 28 September onwards:

Emergency Calls:
There is no change for members of the public reporting a maritime or coastal emergency and they should still call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The 999 operator will transfer the call to the appropriate Coastguard Rescue Coordination Centre.

Contacting the Coastguard directly by phone:
Anyone who previously contacted Forth MRCC for routine communications using the operations room phone number 01333 450666, can continue to use this number which will be routed to Aberdeen MRCC. Alternatively, callers can contact Aberdeen MRCC direct on 01224 592334

Contacting the Coastguard by VHF and VHF DSC:
The VHF and MF coverage provided by the coastguard remains unchanged and radio calls to the coastguard will be dealt with by Aberdeen Coastguard depending on the callers location.
The VHF DSC MMSI number for Forth Coastguard will be diverted to Aberdeen MRCC or mariners should save the MMSI number for their nearest coastguard shore station into their DSC unit.

Maritime Safety Information:
Maritime Safety Information including weather, gale warnings and navigational warnings will continue to be broadcast on the same schedule and frequencies as previously published. For information on these broadcasts, sailors can visit www.dft.gov.uk/mca and go to Weather in the Leisure and Seaside section.
Time Expired Pyrotechnics:
Leisure sailors who need to dispose of time expired pyrotechnics should phone Aberdeen MRCC on 01333 450666 for advice on their closest drop off point.



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Notes to Editors
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Posted By: Julia Gosling

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401