The Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), Sir Richard Mottram officially opened the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Centre at Liverpool at noon today.

The new Centre houses a state of the art search and rescue co-ordination operations room using the lasted Integrated Coastguard Communications Systems (ICCS). It represents a one-stop-shop for maritime safety provision in the Liverpool area and is home to two arms of the MCA: HM Coastguard’s co-ordination centre for search and rescue and the Liverpool Marine Office.

“I am delighted to be able to open the newly refurbished and extended Maritime and Coastguard Agency Centre in Liverpool,” said Sir Richard. “This investment shows the importance of the service the MCA provides to seafarers and coastal users in Liverpool and the surrounding area.”

MCA CEO Maurice Storey added: “This refurbishment demonstrates the MCA’s continuing commitment to Liverpool, and the integration of the MCA’s professionals providing this prestigious maritime one-stop-shop can only improve services to our customers.”