WEYMOUTH is set to lose its coastguard control centre in a radical shake-up to modernise the 999 service and save money.

Decades of maritime tradition will be severed when the Portland Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) based on Weymouth Quay shuts down.

Thirty people are employed at the centre which is the answering and co-ordination point for maydays and 999 calls as well as an administration hub and a base for safety officers.

It is one of the busiest stations in the country responsible for an extremely popular area of Dorset and Devon coast for divers, sailors, bathers and walkers as well as the busy shipping lanes of the Channel.

So far this year it has dealt with more than 1,800 emergencies.

Government proposals to cut 10 of the UK’s 19 coastguard stations including the one at Weymouth do not affect volunteer coastguard rescue officers who respond to emergencies.

Ministers meanwhile have postponed a decision on the future of search and rescue helicopters in the UK including the aircraft at Portland.

Under proposals outlined by Shipping Minister Mike Penning there will be just three 24-hour operational coastguard control super centres – at Aberdeen, in Southampton or Portsmouth and at Dover.

In addition there will also be five sub-centres open during daylight hours with the nearest to Dorset being at Falmouth in Cornwall. A centre governing the Thames in London remains unaffected by the plans.

The proposals will be subject to a 14-week consultation and it is understood the centre in Weymouth could close by 2015 if plans go ahead.

Unions want reassurances there will be no compulsory redundancies and that any staff who want to transfer to new sites can do so.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said he was very disappointed by the news.

Mr Drax said he was reassured that coastguard teams who take part in rescues on the ground would not be removed but he said it was still a blow for the community.

He said he understood that any job losses would be through natural wastage.

Mr Drax said: “There’s 30 staff based at the centre and they do an absolutely wonderful job with great camaraderie, discipline and professionalism. It’s a concern to see any cuts in a uniform service particularly in a coastal seat like mine.”

He added that coastguards’ local knowledge was extremely important.

The MP was due to visit the coastguard offices today to talk to staff and hear their concerns.

“Coastguard officers are an integral part of the community – they are respected, they live in the community and they are treated by many as the fourth emergency service,” he said.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said the changes would strengthen the coastguard service by dealing with points of ‘weakness’ while also maintaining strong regional links and enhancing frontline rescue services through the volunteer coastguard.

He added that the current system was ‘not well placed’ to meet the challenge of larger ships, congested seas and the increasing number of people visiting coastal areas for leisure activities.

The government postponed the announcement about the sell-off of the UK’s search and rescue helicopters.

It said an issue had arisen with a foreign consortium’s bid to take over running the fleet.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said there would be a statement to the House of Commons as soon as information is available.

The service is currently provided by the RAF and Royal Navy, plus – including in Portland’s case – civilian helicopters through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.