People have been warned to take care on Northern Ireland’s coasts over the Bank Holiday as coastguard staff launch a 48-hour strike over pay.

Up to 20 co-ordinating staff in the main coastguard centre at Bangor could take part in the UK-wide stoppage by 700 employees of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It’s the third strike this year by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

The MCA stressed that coastguard cover will be provided over the holiday weekend, but appealed to the public to take extra care on the sea, beach or cliffs as services will be affected. While the rescuers themselves will continue to operate as normal, the industrial action will be taken by those responsible for coordinating rescues.

The union said the dispute has been prompted by pay levels that fall way behind those paid to other emergency services and the Government's policy of below-inflation cost of living increases. Strike action earlier this year forced the closure of nearly half of the UK’s 19 rescue coordination centres.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We anticipate the support for today’s stoppage to be as strong as previous strikes, so would advise the public to avoid taking to the sea for non-essential activities.

“Strike action is a last resort for our members who provide an invaluable service in ensuring the safety of shipping in British waters. The latest action could have been avoided if the Government and the MCA hadn’t continued with their refusal to negotiate a satisfactory outcome.

“Members have rightly grown angry at the scandalous refusal to pay them the same as other emergency service workers, and by the Government’s policy to cap public sector pay increases below inflation. This has led to watch assistants having to receive a special pay rise simply to bring them up to the level of the national minimum wage.”

The MCA warned boat users to think carefully about their plans and make sure they are aware of standard safety advice before putting to sea this weekend.

Boat users are advised to obtain an up-to-date marine weather forecast launching, make sure everyone on board wears a life jacket, bring a radio, in-date flares, torch with spare batteries and warm clothing, as well as identifying an in-shore contact and working out a passage plan in advance to ensure no-one is left worrying about potential late arrivals.

MCA chief executive Peter Cardy said: “The Agency is absolutely committed to maintaining the safety of life at sea. Detailed contingency plans will be in place and although our services will be more limited than usual, the public should know that distress calls will be answered as normal.”