TRIBUTES have been paid to Portland Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre by those who they have saved.

Over the years the coastguard has helped thousands of people involved in all kinds of incidents and the Dorset Echo has collected messages of thanks and support from many they have rescued.

Stella Roper, from Weymouth, was rescued by Portland coastguards when she was 14.

She collapsed and stopped breathing on a school trip, while walking near White Nothe.

She said she owed Portland Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre her life and said the coastguards did a great job.

Stella’s mum, Eileen Roper, has always supported the coastguards. The pair said they were still concerned that vital local knowledge would be lost when Portland Coastguard operations were moved to Fareham’s Maritime Operations Centre.

Stella said: “It is a very sad day. It’s a shame it’s going because local knowledge will definitely be lost in my view.”

She added that the service the coastguard provided along the south coast was very important, but they also co-ordinated inland operations too, like flood rescues.

She added: “It’s the end of an era.

“The unique nature of Weymouth Harbour will be des-troyed.”

Eileen said that a lot of people felt reassured going to sea knowing Portland MRCC was there.

She paid tribute to their work over the years and said: “There are a lot of people that wouldn’t be here today without them.”

Stephen Hackett, 64, of Dorch-ester Road in Weymouth, was rescued by the coastguard just before Christmas in 1991 along with friend Andy Harding when they got into difficulties while caving on Portland.

Mr Hackett said: “At the time they were brilliant, the strength at the time was their being local that assisted us because they were able to find us.

“Their help was greatly appreciated and their expertise really respected.”

Mr Harding, 61, from Weymouth said: “Thanks to the Portland Coastguard for their help and local knowledge, which enabled them to find the caves and contact Mendip Cave Rescue.

“It’s one of those things where every second counts and things like local knowledge make the difference between struggling and dying.” Mark Carroll was diving with Paul Taylor off Portland in 2011 when they got caught in a fast-moving tide and swept away from their boat.

They were found by the Portland search and rescue team about one and a half miles south west of Portland Bill after being in the water for 45 minutes.

Mr Carroll, 44, from Kent, said: “They just get on with their jobs, no matter what the rescue is, it’s no effort for them.

“There were 12 boats all looking for us in the wrong place and it was only because the coastguard pilot said he would look there that we were found. It’s wrong how far they are moving for such a busy area. It doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened if they hadn’t been local.”

Jeff Peaple’s stepson Liam was saved by the coastguards when he was swimming with friends off Portland Bill in 2011 and a large wave smashed him up against the rocks, leaving him with severe shock.

Mr Peaple, 69, from Portland said: “By all accounts the coastguard and ambulance were there very quickly and he was taken to hospital in the helicopter, but it could have been much worse.

“You have to go down a rough track to get there quickly but they knew exactly where to go which helped hugely.

“It’s a crazy idea to move it away from such a busy area like Portland. It’s worrying.”

Alan Trott, 33, from Gloucester, was rescued in 2011 when he underestimated the danger of climbing a cliff near Ringstead.

Mr Trott said: “I think it is such a shame that they are moving the Coastguard out of Portland.

“I don’t know what we would have done if not for the urgent response and experience of the local coastguard while we were all trapped on a cliff edge.

“People’s lives depend on this local service.

“And it’s possible that we wouldn’t be here today if not for it.”