Minister for Infrastructure, Hon David Cretney MHK, officially opened the new headquarters for the Douglas Coastguard Rescue Team on Monday, 30th September 2013.
The new facility is located at ‘The Tongue’ in Douglas Inner Harbour and was completed last month.
The conversion of a previously unused section of the Government-owned building was carried out by staff from the Department’s Properties and Operations Divisions and will allow the sale of the old Coastguard station at Douglas Head.
Minister Cretney said: ‘This development has provided the team with improved accommodation for both equipment and personnel and will improve response times by bringing the team into the heart of the community that it serves.’
The volunteer staff of the Douglas Coastguard Rescue Team respond to about 50 call outs each year, which range from rescuing people from cliffs to clearing up the effects of pollution.
The opening was attended by past and present volunteers from the Team, and also saw the Minister making long-service presentations to retiring Station Officer, David Keggin, B.E.M., and auxiliary Coastguard Ian Halsall.
