Needles Coastguard Rescue Team look set to relocate from Totland to Yarmouth in 2023, thanks to a new partnership with the fire service, Island Echo can reveal.
Behind the scenes plans have been drawn up for the West Wight-based Coastguard team to relocate from Lanes End in Totland to Yarmouth Fire Station – 3 miles away in the neighbouring town of Yarmouth.
The move has come about as a more suitable base is needed, reflecting the growth of the team, bigger vehicles and more technoligical equipment over the years.
It will mean that volunteers can be recruited from slightly further afield and response times for the Coastguard Rescue Vehicle to locations such as Cowes will be reduced. It also means that it is only a short hop, skip and jump for meet and greet taskings at Yarmouth Harbour.
It was back in February that Island Echo first enquired with the Martime and Coastguard Agency about the potential move but it is only now, 10 months later, that it has finally been confirmed that the relocation is on the table.
Official documents released by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) confirm that they have spent money on the facilities at the station to improve standards, ahead of HM Coastguard occupying part of the building. This includes an upgraded kitchenette and carpeted lecture room.
It’s hoped by HIWFRS that the co-habiting of the station – which houses just 1 appliance – will increase income generation from the Island estate.
There are a few more legal hoops to jump through ahead of Needles CRT completing their move. A final survey of the drainage system is to be completed this month and, should the results be positive, solicitors will be instructed to finalise the lease and agree a date for occupation.
It’s not thought this will happen before the end of the year, however.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson has told Island Echo:
“The Heads of Terms have been agreed in principle between HM Coastguard and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service to cohabit the Yarmouth Fire Station.
“A final survey of the drainage system is to be completed this month and, pending the results, we will be in a position to instruct solicitors to liaise with the landlord’s solicitors to finalise the lease and agree a date for occupation”.
It’s unknown what will happen to the Government-owned Coastguard Station at Totland.
Flank stations at Ventnor and Bembridge are unaffected.
