Both the government and Maritime and Coastguard Agency assured the Committee that "robust and extensive testing" was being done before the closure of Clyde Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, to ensure the stations taking over its area of responsibility would do so seamlessly and continue to provide the level of search and rescue cover which the public had a right to expect.

BBC: Coastguard helicopter

Mr Brown said Clyde Coastguard was "the busiest rescue and co-ordination centre in Scotland, and among the busiest in the UK".

BBC: Coastguard helicopter

The closure of the Forth Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Fife Ness starts a UK programme which will also see Clyde Coastguard at Greenock shut.

BBC: End of an era for Forth Coastguard