St. John's maritime rescue centre to begin closing

The federal maritime rescue sub-centre in St. John's will stop taking emergency calls at noonWednesday.

After that, requests for help will be rerouted to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax. It's part of federal plans to consolidate some services and programs.

Merv Wisemanwho works at the St. John's centre and has fought to keep it openpredicts dire consequences.

"[Its] leaving a void in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that will result in someone dying," he said. "I dont know whos going to die, I dont have their names yet, but we will know their names, and that will be sad."

Wiseman said the centre will have two staff members around the clock until April 30, as a precautionary measure.

But he said the centre will close down entirely on May 8.

Of the dozen people working there now, fourincluding Wisemanwill retire. The others will be reassigned within the federal government.