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.
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