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them and in particular; who should they call up in particular areas and what facilities will exist for disposing of out of date flares given that a number of MRCCs are closing.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.
Contact UsArticle Published: November 27, 2014 15:14