Despite a concerted campaign to save Swansea coastguard station, the government has confirmed that it will be closed by March 2015. Transport Minister Mike Penning added that coastguard stations at Milford Haven and Holyhead, which had been earmarked to go out of service, will remain operational.

Campaigners claim that the closure of Swansea means that lives will be endangered in the Bristol Channel, and along the coastlines of Gower and Swansea. First Minister Carwyn Jones called the decision dismaying. Save Swansea Coastguard’s chairman, Tony Colbourn, said he was disappointed, but promised to carry on lobbying the government for a reversal of the decision.

The Swansea station, located in Mumbles, currently employs 28 staff. Around 200 people including surfers, sailors and fisherman showed their objection to the government’s proposals to close the station by organising a floating protest in August this year.

David Jones, Wales Office Minister, said it was disappointing that the government had decided to close Swansea, but was pleased with the decision to retain the Holyhead and Milford Haven stations. He pointed out that under the previous administration Wales would only have been allowed to hold on to one coastguard station.

The coastguard stations around the UK which will now be closed by the end of March 2013 are: Portland, Brixham, Swansea, Thames, Liverpool, Great Yarmouth, Clyde and Falmouth. Mr Penning said that the closures were a necessary part of the plan to create a modernised service on a national scale which will provide for the future while reducing costs.