The marine office at Falmouth coastguard office is to be downgraded following an announcement that was "sneaked out" by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) earlier this month.

One of the country's biggest trade unions, the RMT, has criticised the agency of trying to bury the news - which means the office based at Falmouth Coastguard centre will become a satellite of Plymouth - on its blog.

Falmouth is one of three offices which will be downgraded as the MCA seeks to save more than £300,000 in estate costs, while four other offices are to close.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “This is a deeply disappointing decision, made worse by the MCA sneaking it out on their blog.

“The decision, as far as it goes makes no mention at all of the impact on seafarers from closing marine offices and we continue to believe that the MCA’s survey and inspection capacity would be compromised by a shrinking of the national network.

“We cannot accept a situation where UK seafarers of today and tomorrow are prevented from taking up jobs and training in the domestic shipping industry due to a lack of basic support from Government.”

RMT national secretary Steve Todd added: “The status of and support for UK seafarers in the domestic shipping industry will again be undermined if the Government and the MCA are allowed to get away with these damaging marine office closures.

“When the dust settles on the Tory Government’s in-house coronation, we will be demanding that the Shipping Minister tell the MCA in no uncertain terms that these closures plans are unacceptable and must be scrapped.”

Marine offices provide administrative and technical support to seafarers, including eye tests, training, and certification, as well as providing a base for MCA surveyors and inspectors who examine domestic and international ships including the UK’s Port State Control work.

The MCA said the changes, while requiring more remote working, will save money with minimal impact on survey and inspection work.

Sir Alan Massey, MCA chief executive, said: “The MCA’s marine surveyors are a vital part of our business and have built an outstanding reputation for their technical skills and professionalism. Yet the maritime world is changing, and we have to move with the times.

“We have consulted widely with our staff and external customers in coming to these decisions. The MCA is and remains committed to the highest standards in upholding maritime safety throughout our areas of responsibility: UK-wide and indeed globally. This transformation programme will greatly help us to achieve that.”

Katy Ware, director of maritime safety and standards added: “We understand that people might be worried about the future but we have assured both our surveyors and staff that we will continue to work with them as the change programme moves forward. People matter in this agency and we are committed to making sure we continue to act with that in mind.”