Shetland Coastguard Operations Centre joins national network
Shetland
Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) has become part of the new Coastguard
national network.
Work has been
carried out at the search and rescue coordination centre to upgrade the
technology and introduce new systems. This means Shetland 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.
The changes to Her Majesty’s Coastguard,
a service funded and delivered by the UK Government, 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.
Steve Turner, Maritime Operations
Controller at Shetland 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 Shetland 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 important 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.