Vallgrund’s operations will be transferred to the new Vaasa Coast Guard Station in 2027

The Finnish Border Guard establishes Vaasa Coast Guard Station in summer 2027. The station in Kutterisatama in Vaasa will take over the operations of the nearby Vallgrund Coast Guard Station, which will be closed down. 

Vaasa Coast Guard station, which will be established on 1 July 2027, meets better the requirements resulting from regional focus of maritime emergency duties. Moreover, it shortens the transfer time to airports in the area, to Vaasa harbour, as well as in the region in general. 

– This improves the Finnish Border Guard’s readiness for maritime search and rescue as well as border security duties in the area, Head of Maritime Safety, Mikko Hirvi, from Finnish Border Guard Headquarters states.  Furthermore, the transfer of the coast guard station to Vaasa will also further cooperation and sharing of resources with other authorities and partners. These actors include especially the Rescue Department, the Police, the Finnish Lifeboat Institution, as well as the maritime pollution response vessel. 

– This does not entail changes in patrolling, surveillance or presence in the Kvarken Archipelago, Deputy Commander of the West Finland Coast Guard District, Tuomas Luukkonen, emphasizes.

The change enables introduction of safe, healthy and appropriate facilities and harbour structures. Vallgrund’s facilities, which are in poor condition and inappropriate for operative purposes, will be relinquished. 

The changes were discussed in the Island Committee, as well as in the Finnish Border Guard’s and West Finland Coast Guard District’s collaboration committees. The decision to establish Vaasa Coast Guard Station, and to close down Vallgrund, was made by the Minister of the Interior on Chief of the Finnish Border Guard’s recommendation.