Coast Guard Recruiter News

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Coast Guard

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

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 the UK and Ireland) the coast guard has no law enforcement role. It is the coordinating agency for maritime rescue - the maritime rescue assets may come from other organisations. 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, in addition to coastguard owned assets. In the United States, the Coast Guard has both law enforcement and military roles.