It was a solemn announcement many hoped would never have to be issued over the airwaves.

“This will be the final broadcast originating from the Comox Communications Centre. It’s been an honour to serve the maritime community over the last 108 years. Comox Coast Guard radio, out.”

And with that, the role of the marine communications traffic services centre in Comox was brought to a close – and 17 employees said goodbye.

“It’s pretty somber, as it has been the last few days. Lots of hugs, some tears,” said Unifor Canada 2182 president Allan Hughes. “It’s been a really good team that’s been very static, very little turn over in the past 20 years.”

But that all changed Tuesday when management supervisors arrived on scene to finalize an action started by the Conservative government four years ago.

The station’s former duties of pollution alerting and monitoring marine traffic for the area will now be split between consolidated centres in Sidney and Prince Rupert.

“The Conservative government for three years would not meet with us and discuss the closures right across Canada, they steamrolled ahead with it,” Hughes said. “When the Liberal government was elected last October we really thought we had an opportunity there to open dialogue there to lobby and work with government, and see why it made no sense to close this centre.”

Some of those who worked in the centre will head to Victoria while others will retire.

Ed Tickner, who worked at the station for 22 years, returned Tuesday to help others say goodbye.

“People are sad that an era has come to an end, 108 years of history with the station, and having the final day is difficult,” he said.

Many of the staff at the station were trained by Tickner before his retirement, so he was given the honour of performing that final sign-off.

“It was very emotional actually, it was kind of surreal. I had not expected it,” he said. “The staff there were very professional, but they were also very emotional, so they would’ve had a lot of difficulty.”

Ticker’s sign-off was immediately responded to by mariners monitoring the emergency frequency.

“We’re going to miss you Comox. It’s a shame you guys are leaving, thanks for all your work.”

Marine distress signals from the area will not travel via telephone landline to personnel at the monitoring station near Victoria.