Hellenic Coast Guard

Hellenic Coast Guard
Coat of Arms of the Hellenic Coast Guard
Active	1919
Country	Greece
Type	Coast Guard
Role	Maritime law enforcement, paramilitary navy, search and rescue, sea pollution control
Size	7,000
Patron	St. Nicholas
Colors	Cyan, White & Gold
Commanders
Commandant	Vice Admiral Stamatios Raptis
Insignia
Identification symbol	Λ.Σ.-ΕΛ.ΑΚΤ.
Identification symbol	Crossed anchors
Aircraft flown
Patrol	Cessna 406 Caravan II
Transport	Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Hellenic Coast Guard (Greek Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή – Limeniko Soma-Elliniki Aktofylaki – lit. "Port Corps-Hellenic Coast Guard") is the national coast guard of Greece. Like many other coast guards, it is a paramilitary organization that can support the Hellenic Navy in wartime, but resides under separate civilian control in times of peace. It was founded in 1919 by an Act of Parliament (N. 1753/1919) and the legal framework for its function was reformed in 1927. The current name is specified in Law 3022/2011.

The Hellenic Coast Guard Force is currently under the authority of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy. The Hellenic Coast Guard Force is headed by the Senior Coast Guard Officer who has the rank of Vice Admiral (Antinavarchos).

The basic roles of the Hellenic Coast Guard are law enforcement at sea, search and rescue, marine safety, preventing sea pollution, fisheries patrolling, preventing illegal immigration and drug interdiction.

In order to perform these roles, the Coast Guard operate a number of patrol boats of various sizes (6m to 60m) and different types (RIBs, coastal patrol boats, offshore patrol boats, lifeboats and pollution control vessels). On land the Hellenic Coast Guard is equipped with cars and motorcycles.