PORTLAND Coastguard will hand over operations to the new National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Hampshire today.

It comes as part of a national movement for Coastguard Operations Centres around the UK to work together and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is stressing that the changes mean a bigger and better support network will be available during search and rescue incidents.

A spokesperson said: “There will be no reduction in rescue resources. The availability of Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats, rescue helicopters and other rescue units will be unaffected.”

Some staff from the Portland centre have moved to the NMOC at Fareham to take up new roles, including Mark Rodaway.

He said: ““The public won’t notice any difference to the way search and rescue missions are responded to. If you call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, or issue a mayday broadcast, we will still be here to help you.

“The only change is that we now have a new centre that will be able to oversee and assist with operations around the whole of the UK, with a mix of experienced personnel alongside Maritime Operations Officers that have chosen to pursue an exciting career with the Coastguard.

“I am incredibly grateful to the staff both at Solent and Portland Coastguard, who have served their region and local communities with great dedication and professionalism over many years. I am pleased that a good number of them are staying with the Coastguard and have relocated to roles at our new national centre.”

47 Coastguards are now based at the new centre near Fareham. Once the new national network is complete by the end of 2015, there will be 96 Coastguards based at the centre.

The new national network is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2015.