Falmouth coastguard was understaffed for more than half of shifts last summer, according to the PCS Union.

The figures released via a Freedom of Information request suggest that from May to September 2012 the station was understaffed 50 per cent of the time.

Calling it "deeply troubling" PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "It is truly shocking that coastguard stations are so regularly running below safe levels and this must be addressed as a priority.

According to Maritime and Coastguard Agency data, more than 3,300 of a total of 15,000 watches – across 15 stations where figures were available – were staffed below the risk assessed levels between January 2012 and May 2013.

During the coastguard service's busiest period, May to September 2012, more than 1,100 of 4,400 shifts were affected – 26.8 per cent.

Falmouth was one five of the stations – Aberdeen, Belfast, Dover, Falmouth and Thames – where shifts were staffed below the risk level more than a third of the time.

The union says the figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, paint a "deeply troubling" picture as the government presses ahead with plans to close nine of the UK's 19 coastguard stations and cut 140 jobs.

Falmouth's station was saved from being downgraded to a part time station last year after a huge local campaign

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "It is truly shocking that coastguard stations are so regularly running below safe levels and this must be addressed as a priority.

"We have never been convinced of the government's case for the closure of half of our coastguard stations and believe public safety is being compromised in the drive to make cuts."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) recently completed a recruitment campaign where 28 Watch Officer vacancies were filled at locations around the coast.
 

Currently, where a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is experiencing reduced staffing levels, established 'pairing' arrangements are used. This means each MRCC can be connected to at least one other MRCC that will provide mutual support.

"Under the future structure, the introduction of the 'National Network' as part of the modernisation of HM Coastguard will enable the National Maritime Operations Centre and all other centres to coordinate any incident around the UK coast, enabling workload and incidents to be managed nationally rather than locally as at present."

What the figures show For the 15 UK stations where figures were provided, 3,311.2 of 15,084* (21.9%) watches were staffed below risk assessed levels between January 2012 and May 2013 Between May and September 2012, 1,180.5 of 4,406* (26.79%) watches were affected.

These were the five worst affected stations – out of a total of 1,034 watches.

Figures in square brackets cover May to September 2012 only – out of 306 watches

Aberdeen: 502 (48.5%) [165.5 (54%)]

Belfast: 419 (40.5%) [115 (37.5%)]

Dover 456 (44.1%) [171 (55.8%)]

Falmouth 370 (35.7%) [153 (50%)]

Thames 644 (62.2%) [204 (66.6%)]