Supporters of Northern Ireland's coastguard control centre have launched a campaign to prevent any reduction of its service.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Bangor faces the axe under proposals to streamline coastguard services across the United Kingdom.

"Based on [the Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposals], MRCC Belfast could be at best a daylight-only station, or at worst close," argues the Belfast Coastguard Support Group (BCSG).

The group says it is campaigning not only to maintain the coastguard presence in Northerm Ireland, but also "to ensure that it remains a 24-hour 365-day-a-year station watching over and responding to emergencies on our coastal areas and inland waterways".

Responses from the public to the proposals will be accepted until 24 March. The BCSG has urged everyone in Northern Irerland to have their say and show their support for retaining a full coastguard service by writing to their local MPs and MLAs.

More imformation about the campaign is available at www.belfastcg.com