The agency responsible for saving lives on south Essex beaches has denied allegations people are at risk because of understaffing.
A report by MPs slammed the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for "unacceptable" staffing levels, which it connected with an increase in deaths and accidents.
Figures for Thames Coastguard, responsible for the south Essex coast, showed an increase in deaths between 2002 and 2003 from 14 to 15. But an MCA spokesman strongly denied it was due to staff levels.
The spokesman said: "Before every watch there is a risk assessment to see how many people we need and we adjust staffing accordingly.
"There may be times when we are running at minimal levels but that's because it is quiet and more people are not needed.
"We feel we always have the right amount of people to do the right job at the right time."
Published Thursday August 5, 2004
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