AN ASPIRING young Portland athlete is throwing his support behind the campaign to site a new coastguard supercentre in the borough.

Adam Greaves, 14, is a Laser sailor and student at Royal Manor School.

He has collected more than 60 signatures in just two days for the Echo’s Save Our Lifesavers campaign, which aims to bring a new coastguard supercentre to the borough.

Adam said that having the coastguards in the area made people feel safe.

He said: “It’s really important to the area. If anyone is going to use the water they will have peace that the coastguards are there.”

He added: “With 2012 coming up the watersports industry will grow. Having the coastguard here means quicker response times and that could be the difference between life and death.”

It’s hoped that having the supercentre in the borough would encourage coastguards from other areas to move to the borough because of the quality of life.

Adam said: “The lifestyle here is great with Weymouth beach and there’s so much opportunity now with the Olympics.”

He added: “I think the government should keep the coastguards local. If they maybe made it smaller as a concession but there should be a coastguard hub here for them.

“Even if you don’t need to call the coastguard it gives you confidence to go out on the water.”

Adam added that the coastguards did a great job.

He said: “They give the crews the exact pin-point of where the casualties are and what the conditions are. They need to know the area.”

Readers can join our campaign to call for the government to locate a Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Weymouth or Portland in a number of different ways including via Facebook – search for Portland Coastguard – Save Our Lifesavers or by following links from the Dorset Echo Facebook page.

The petition is available to download from the Dorset Echo website – or fill out the coupon and send it to the office at the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth or the Dorchester office in Antelope Walk.

For a paper copy call Catherine Bolado on 01305 830985.