UK MCA breaks ground on new Coastguard training centre in Hampshire

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has started construction on a new national Coastguard training centre in at Daedalus Airfield in Hampshire.

Being built with an investment of £2.5m, the facility is aimed at offering Coastguard Rescue Officers with essential training and skills to assist them in managing emergency situations on the UK coastline.

MCA chief executive Sir Alan Massey said: "This modern, innovative training centre will give our Coastguard Rescue Officers the skills they need to respond to any kind of emergency on our coast.

"These are dedicated, selfless volunteers who are prepared to put themselves out to ensure the safety of others, and they deserve the very best of training and equipment to support them in their tasks."

Acting as a new base for Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team, the 8m-high ‘cliff face’ within the new building would enable training teams to perform cliff rescues.

The climbing wall would slide 4m-down into a pit, in a bid to offer Coastguards with experience of working in enclosed spaces.

"This is an exciting time for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as we take bold steps to modernise our search and rescue capabilities throughout the UK," Massey added.

"We aim to be the best maritime safety organisation in the world, and providing modern, highly effective facilities like the Daedalus training centre is another important step towards realising that vision."

Construction on the new building is scheduled to be completed next year.

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Image: Officials during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Coastguard training centre. Photo: courtesy of UK Gov.