THE COMMUNITY has come together to bid an emotional farewell to Portland Coastguard.

Hundreds of people lined the harbourside in Weymouth to say a final goodbye and thank the team for all their efforts.

Click here to see all the pictures in our special gallery.

From today Portland Coastguard will start its move from its harbourside station to the National Maritime Operation Centre in Fareham, Hampshire.

The process will be completed by the end of the week, marking the end of an era for the borough.

As a way of thanking the local station for all its efforts over the years, the community organised a special flotilla with dozens of boats sailing past to pay a final salute.

The local community also turned out in force to line the harbourside and show their support.

Colin Jackson, a senior watchkeeper at Portland Coastguard, was on the boat that led the procession.

Mr Jackson said: “The procession went very well.

“It was very nice to see the response from the coastguards themselves as we went past them, and the support of the public.

“I must admit I was quite surprised but very pleased with the turn-out of people.

“It was great to see, and an absolutely perfect afternoon, tinged with the sadness of the Coastguards going.

“I work with them on a daily basis and I will miss them.”

Crowds lined the edge of the harbour to watch and applaud the special flotilla, with some crew on board the boats lighting flares and the Weymouth-based Dorset Wrecks band sang on board one of the boats, keeping the throng of people entertained.

Weymouth and Portland Mayor Kate Wheller was on board the first boat with the coastguard staff, and described the day as a sad occasion.

Mayor Wheller said: “It’s very sad, it’s the end of a very long era.

“With the maritime history here, it has always been very reassuring to know the coastguards were there in case anything went wrong.

“I know a lot of people owe their life to them following rescues and this send off shows the esteem people hold for them and people are very anxious to say their goodbyes to them.”

n In today’s Dorset Echo we have produced an eight-page supplement to pay tribute to the work of the coastguards in the borough.

As well as coverage of the flotilla, we have tributes from those saved by the coastguards and chart the history of the service in the area as well as looking forward to what the move will mean to local operations.