Hi °C | Lo °C To widespread delight from campaigners, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced yesterday that the Bangor station would remain open - and not have its hours reduced at all.
The watered-down reforms unveiled yesterday did not include one of the most controversial proposals, which was to reduce the remaining bases to daylight-only operations.
Mr Hammond said cross-border co-operation with search and rescue teams in the Republic of Ireland was key to the decision.
The Conservative minister also confirmed that a new consultation would not reconsider the status of the Belfast service.
It would only focus on the new elements of the programme introduced yesterday, he said, in response to a question from Jim Shannon, DUP MP for Strangford.
He added: "We consider that the issue of potential closure of Belfast was consulted on, and there is no need for further consultation on that."
Concerns about the loss of local knowledge and cross-border co-operation with the Republic of Ireland were key to the decision to retain the Bangor station, he said.
Dealing with "specific civil contingency" requirements was crucial, he said, in a reference to the devolved nature of Northern Ireland's politics.
The decision to retain Belfast was welcomed after the debate by MPs across the political divide.
North Down Independent MP Lady Sylvia Hermon said politicians had "stood firmly together" in fighting the closure.
She added: "It's excellent news for our coastguard team in Bangor, and it's great news for everyone in Northern Ireland too."
North Antrim DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr said: "This is brilliant news. It shows that with a combined effort, team Northern Ireland in the House of Commons can win a great success."
SDLP Leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the original proposals had been "ill-thought to the point of being reckless".
She said local knowledge could not be replaced, pointing to figures revealed earlier this month that the station had co-operated with the Irish Coastguard more than 100 times in the past two years.
She added: "Retaining the service will be welcome news across Ireland, and I would like to congratulate all those associated with our coastguard service for running such a successful campaign."
Under the new proposals, there will be just one Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) based in Hampshire, with 24-hour backup from a centre in Dover.
Aberdeen had been expected to become another MOC, but will now remain open as before.
The city's MP Frank Doran said he was "deeply disappointed" at missing out, saying the city's base had been "building up for its new status".
Moving to just one MOC will save the money to allow eight surviving "sub-centres", including Belfast, to be open for 24 hours a day.
Eight stations - two fewer than originally proposed - will close, including Liverpool, which had been set against Belfast in the original proposals.
There was anger in the Chamber from MPs whose local centres were being closed, while Labour Transport Spokesman Maria Eagle, who represents a Liverpool constituency, said it was "incomprehensible" that Belfast-based staff would have the local knowledge to respond to callouts in the Liverpool Bay.
Mr Hammond insisted: "Our updated proposals will ensure the safety of seafarers and coastal communities, delivering the modernised and more cost-effective service we need for the 21st century, while also responding to the concerns raised during the consultation process."
A total of 1,800 responses were received, including many from serving coastguards. There were a total of 27 suggested alternative solutions, the minister said.
