Coastguard changes 

Practical information on who to call and disposing of flares.

Recently the RYA has received a number of questions from members about how the changes and closures in the Coastguard service will affect them and in particular; who should they call up in particular areas and what facilities will exist for disposing of out of date flares given that a number of MRCCs are closing.

The changes will see a National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Fareham and 10 Coastguard Operations Centres (CGOC) around the UK work together as a national network to manage the workload and to offer mutual support during busy periods.

There will be no reduction in rescue resources; the aerial network remains unchanged and the availability of Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats, rescue helicopters and other rescue units will be unaffected.

Boaters can still contact the Coastguard on VHF Channel 16, VHF/MF DSC and 999 on the coast.

In addition, the existing telephone numbers for the Rescue Coordination Centre operations rooms remain unchanged at this time; the telephone numbers for those which have closed have been diverted to the NMOC and will be answered by a Coastguard. If you call the Coastguard by whatever means, the Coastguard will answer even if you try to call one that has closed. The only telephone numbers which will not work in future are those of the Rescue Coordination Centre managers.

Closure/transition timetable

Location	Transition Date	Closure Date	Status
MRCC Forth		September 2012	Complete
MRCC Clyde		December 2012	Complete
MRCC Yarmouth		May 2013	Complete
NMOC	September 2014		Complete
MRCC Solent		September 2014	Complete
MRCC Portland		September 2014	Complete
MRCC Falmouth	October 2014		Complete
MRCC Brixham		November 2014	Complete
MRCC Holyhead	December 2014		Complete
MRCC Liverpool		January 2015
MRCC Milford Haven	February 2015
MRCC Swansea		March 2015
MRCC Humber	April 2015
MRCC Thames		June 2015
MRCC Aberdeen	July 2015
MRCC Shetland	August 2015
MRCC Belfast	September 2015
MRCC Stornoway	October 2015
MRCC Dover	December 2015
London CG	December 2015

 

Disposing of unwanted flares

The arrangements for flare disposal have not changed.

HM Coastguard can still only take small numbers of flares from private individuals and only as a last resort if all other disposal methods have been exhausted. You will still need to make an appointment to drop off flares at one of the licensed sites.

Before contacting HM Coastguard try:

• The place you brought them. They may offer a ‘take back’ scheme. (The RYA advises not to buy flares from anyone who will not take old ones back from you)
• Marinas (a small charge may apply)
• Life raft service agent
• Local authority; they may be accepted at local recycling centres

If you are still unable to dispose of flares you can then contact your nearest Licensed Coastguard site who will advise if they can help.

HM Coastguard does not provide a collection service and they are unable to accept flares from commercial organisations.

HM Coastguard has no responsibility for disposing of flares; they accept them at their own discretion and they only have limited storage facilities. Only some HM Coastguard locations are able to meet the requirements to be licensed to store flares.

If you do contact HM Coastguard you will be asked:

• Who you have previously contacted to arrange disposal
• How many flares you need to dispose of
• How old they are
• What condition they are in

If they can help, they will arrange for a time for you to deliver the flares. You may have to travel, or wait several weeks depending on the facilities available in your area. You should never:

• Turn up at HM Coastguard premises without prior agreement. The majority of Coastguard locations are not licensed and you will be turned away.
• Collect flares from others. HM Coastguard only accepts a reasonable number of flares from private individuals in line with the RYA’s carriage recommendations.
• Leave flares to be discovered.
• Put flares in household rubbish, garden waste or public litter bins.

Finally, it is possible that licensed flare disposal sites can be temporarily taken offline during refurbishment or decommissioning. Members of the public are not permitted on site when contractors are operating which is another reason why it is critical that appointments are made. HM Coastguard will endeavour to bring any temporarily suspended site back on line as soon as possible.

Details of Licensed HM Coastguard Disposal Sites.