New long range point of contact for UK Coastguard

From 1 February 2017, there will be new UK Coastguard emergency numbers for long range search and rescue

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For decades the UK Coastguard at Falmouth has been the point of contact for long range search and rescue.

Now, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has announced that the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) at Fareham will take over this role.

The change is as a result of the reorganisation of HM Coastguard to a national network.

From Wednesday, 1 February 2017, new numbers for long range search and rescue will go live.

They are:

UK Coastguard long range point of contact +44 (0)344 382 0025
UK Coastguard medical advice and/or assistance +44 (0)344 382 0026
ukmrcc@hmcg.gov.uk

The MCA is stressing that these numbers do not replace the usual way of contacting the coastguard locally.

In a statement, the MCA said: “HM Coastguard has always played a prominent and significant role in long range Search and Rescue.”

“Before the Nationalisation of the UK Coastguard, Falmouth was the centre to contact, their telephone number and email address were widely published and carried by mariners throughout the world.”

“Following the reorganisation of HM Coastguard to a National Network with its centre at the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Fareham this proud tradition continues,” continued the statement.

“The (new) numbers will go live on Wednesday 1 February 2017 and are intended as a point of contact for international and long range communications.”

“They do not replace standard means of contacting the Coastguard locally under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS),” concluded the statement.