Coast Guard (66530)

A coast guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries. more...

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Among the responsibilities that may be entrusted to a coast guard service are enforcement of maritime law, maintenance of seamarks, border control, and other services. During wartime coast guards might be responsible for harbour defense, port security, naval counterintelligence and coastal patrols.

In some countries it is part of the military. In a few countries it is a civilian or even private sector organization. Most coast guards operate ships and aircraft including helicopters and seaplanes for this purpose.

In some countries (such as Ireland) the Irish coast guard has a limited law enforcement role and is the co-ordinating agency for maritime rescue but enforcement powers are growing dealing with maritime safety law ie. The marine safety bill and the Merchant shipping act and has officially become part of the uniformed services and assistance may come from other organisations in the rescue role. In these cases, lifeboats may be provided by civilian voluntary organisations, such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, whilst aircraft may be provided by the countries' armed forces Aircorps and Naval service, in addition to any coast guard owned assets. In the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard has both law enforcement and military roles.

Types and roles

The following lists a select number of coast guards around the world, illustrating the varied roles they play in the respective countries they operate in:

Military units

India

In India, the Indian Coast Guard is a military unit. It secures the country's coast, carries out rescues, and aids shipping.

Italy

In Italy, the Guardia Costiera is part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, but is a military organization.

Combination Military and Law Enforcement units

United States of America

In the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is both a military and a law enforcement organization. It is one of the seven components of the Uniformed services of the United States and one of the five elements of the United States Armed Forces.

During peacetime the USCG falls under the administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security. During wartime, the USCG may, at the direction of the President of the United States, report to the Secretary of the Navy but does not become part of the US Navy and is not part of the Department of Defence; however, its boats and cutters are integrated into U.S. military operations (see 14 U.S.C. § 3 & 14 U.S.C. § 4).

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