The CIG has accused the Xunta this Friday of keeping the Gardacostas service in "abandonment," while trying to project a "false image of operability." The union demands the urgent coverage of vacant positions, more material resources, adequate training, and the recognition of early retirement for the staff.
In a public statement, the union speaks of "years of effective abandonment" that, it claims, are reflected in unfilled vacancies, excessively long selection processes, lack of operational personnel, vessels immobilized due to breakdowns, obsolete or insufficient equipment, lack of PPE and uniforms, as well as outdated training, among other deficits.
The organization explains that the positions of these officials "are filled drop by drop" and that "all new crew contracts for new boats are already being privatized directly." It adds that, despite being maritime workers, they cannot access early retirement, which causes part of the workforce to leave for the private sector, in a context where "diseases and injuries due to age factors are increasing."
They also warn that the operational bases are "incomplete," with unfilled vacancies in all of them (mechanics, marine surveillance agents, and skippers). They detail that in Vilaxoán there are 4 positions missing from the 17 listed in the RPT, in addition to one administrative assistant; in Celeiro, a vessel remains stopped due to a breakdown; in Portosín, a mechanic position has not been filled and there are problems with uniforms; in A Coruña, they report 5 vacancies and deficiencies in equipment; and in Vigo "there is only one mechanic," which means that the vessel "can only go out on one of the three planned shifts," in addition to at least four people who cannot board or work night shifts due to medical prescription. Additionally, two positions are in Mar de Galicia and the retirement of an inspector is planned.
The CIG also points out "significant shortcomings" in the planning vessel Illa de San Simón, where it notes a lack of resources, obsolete equipment, and drones not in use due to lack of specific training. It asserts that these deficiencies extend to the rest of the boats, which "do not meet the technical specifications and have safety problems."
The nationalist union reproaches the Xunta for relying on the fact that "there is no staff on the lists," when, in its opinion, the real cause is that the management of those lists is "slow and cumbersome." It adds that many professionals do not register "because the working conditions are less attractive than in the private sector." "The staff remains in group C1 and does not receive the corresponding remuneration for the qualifications and functions they perform," states the CIG, which emphasizes that, in the case of the agents, the lists are complete but the Xunta "screws the coverage of positions."
"The Xunta does not really treat it as an Emergency service," they criticize from the central office, which questions whether the situation is due only to poor management or to a "progressive weakening of the public service" to "end up justifying" a future privatization of certain tasks.
Response from the Xunta
The Consellería do Mar has responded to these criticisms defending that it maintains "a firm commitment" to Gardacostas and rejecting the "image of false operability that is intended to be conveyed." "The work of the Service is there, and in plain sight, effectively fighting against poaching, acting against marine pollution episodes when they occur, and, especially, saving lives at sea," sources from the regional government have emphasized.
The same sources remind that, so far in 2026, Gardacostas has intervened in 176 maritime emergencies, of which 111 were for search and rescue and 65 for fighting pollution. This work is complemented by the constant activity of inspection and protection of marine resources.
Regarding the workforce, the Consellería admits that "there are temporary limitations linked to the coincidence of several administrative and selective processes," but maintains that "the Xunta is making progress in its coverage." In this regard, it indicates that it is "in the final stretch" of the process to incorporate 10 skippers and 13 mechanics, in addition to an offer of 22 new positions for agents.
"Improving the service is always in everyone's mind," affirms the Galician Government, which assures that the provision "is guaranteed" and denies any "abandonment" in the allocation of resources. It specifies that since 2019 more than 15 million euros have been invested in renewing the fleet and that only this year 12 'pick-up' vehicles and a new 18-meter patrol boat have been incorporated, to which another twin unit will be added before the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the Consellería reminds that the arrival of two new trucks is scheduled for early 2027.
Regarding early retirement, the Consellería maintains that "the Xunta shares the claim of the staff" and that it has already addressed this issue with the trade union organizations. "Precisely this week it was agreed to advance in the request to the State to initiate the procedure for the recognition of the reducing coefficients, a decision that had the agreement of all the trade union organizations."