THE business arm of Hampshire-based cable company NTL has clinched a new £8m

contract with Southampton's Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The new high profile contract for the emergency services will run for a minimum five-year term and under the deal NTL Business will provide maintenance and management service support for the MCA network around mainland Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has approximately 150 remote radio sites throughout the country that provide coverage for the UK's sea area and shoreline. Part of the agency's responsibility is providing the UK's maritime distress and safety communications, including search and rescue, ship safety standards and pollution prevention.

The contract will see NTL Business support the high profile Channel Navigation Information Service based in Dover, which monitors all shipping traffic in the Dover Straits, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The existing system is due to be replaced next year and NTL Business will be providing on-site engineer support to ensure the smooth transition and running of the new facility.

"We handle over 12,000 emergency cases a year so we need a technical partner who can guarantee an extremely high quality of service. NTL Business has a great deal of experience in this area and we are looking forward to building on this and working together over the next five years," said Richard Parkes, director, technical services at the MCA.

Steve Worthington, managing director, NTL Business public safety, comments: "NTL Business works with over 70 per cent of the UK's emergency services and this contract backs up our commitment and expertise in providing communications support and equipment to the essential services. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible management and support services for the MCA ensuring the agency can concentrate on its job of safe-guarding our coasts."

"We are looking forward to our partnership with the MCA, providing a 'fully integrated' support service for the MCA to the benefit of the seafaring community."