Britain's shadow transport secretary has branded a "shambles" plans to reform the UK coastguard service that could see the closure of Northern Ireland's only dedicated search and rescue base.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Labour's Maria Eagle questioned Secretary of State Philip Hammond on the issue in the Commons on Thursday.

"Why does he not just abandon the ill-thought-through proposals, which will leave our coastline a more dangerous place?' she asked.

Hammond, however, dismissed Eagle's challenge as "opportunism", noting that proposals to reform services of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were first made by the previous Labour government.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, British Prime Minister David Cameron has already promised a rethink on the plans to streamline the UK's network of coastguard stations.

The public consultation on the proposed cuts ended on Thursday.

Coastguards at Holyhead engaged in a frantic but fruitless search on Saturday after a distress call that was tracked to a stolen radio.

Motorboat & Yachting reports that the north Wales rescue team picked up the automated distress call at 7.30pm. 

But with the location of the vessel unknown, and with no way of verifying the veracity of the call, rescuers - including four lifeboats, three coastguard teams and a rescue helicopter - were forced to sweep an area of more than 700 square miles in an effort to track the signal.

Eventually the MMSI code for the radio unit was identified as a derelict fishing boat in Ireland. The Dublin Coast Guard confirmed that the radio had been stolen from the vessel.

Holyhead watch manager Andy Carroll urged anyone buying a second-hand DSC radio to ensure they know how to use it properly, and to confirm their MMSI details are updated.

The British government could be ready to change its plans for the streamlining of the UK coastguard service.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that while there will be no turning back on reforms, concessions such as closing fewer stations and keeping more open 24/7 are being considered - which could save Northern Ireland's only full-time coastguard base from the chop.

The centre at Bangor was earmarked for scaleback or closure under plans proposed by Shipping Minister Mike Penning, But he was forced to extend the consultation period, with a spokesperson saying that "the government is committed to taking all points of view into account before decicing how best to proceed".

Shadow Shipping Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “We were concerned about the level of cuts initially proposed and are pleased that the Government appears to be reviewing its plans."

The Belfast Telegraph has more on the story HERE.