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Hellenic Coast Guard

Military unit and national coast guard

Hellenic Coast Guard

Military unit and national coast guard

FieldValue
agencynameHellenic Coast Guard
nativenameaΛιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή
abbreviationHCG
logoFile: Hellenic Coast Guard Logo.svg
logocaptionHellenic Coast Guard badge
flagFile:Hellenic Coast Guard House Flag.svg
flagcaptionFlag
formedyear1919
employees8,000
legalpersonalityGovernment agency
countryGreece
constitution1Law No. 1753/1919
constitution2Law No. 3922/2011
speciality1coast
minister1nameVasilis Kikilias
minister1pfoMinister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
chief1nameVice admiral Tryfon Kontizas
chief1positionCommandant
chief2nameVice admiral Alexandros Tselikis
chief2positionFirst Deputy Commandant
chief3nameRear admiral Fotios Kiamos
chief3positionSecond Deputy Commandant
parentagencyMinistry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
boats1240 vessels
aircraft1typeFixed wing aircraft
aircraft1* Cessna 406 Caravan II
aircraft2typeHelicopters
aircraft2Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
website
footnotesColors : Cyan, White & Gold
  • Cessna 172 Skyhawk
  • Socata TB

The 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. The officers and the enlisted members of the Coast Guard are regarded as military personnel under Military's Penal Code. It was founded in 1919 by an Act of Parliament (Law No. 1753–1919) and the legal framework for its function was reformed in 1927. Its primary mission is the enforcement of Greek, European and International law in the maritime areas.

Historically, it is very closely associated with the Greek shipping industry; many Coast Guard officers retire early to find employment in Greek and international companies owned by Greek ship-owners.

Role and responsibilities

The main activities of the Hellenic Coast Guard are defined in the present legislation and specified within its institutional framework of operation. These activities are the following:

  • Ensuring public order, including general policing and traffic policing.
  • Safeguarding of public and state security.
  • Law enforcement at sea, ports and coastal areas.Maritime border control. Surveillance of the sea, shipping, ports and borders. Drug interdiction.
  • Search and rescue (jointly with the Hellenic Air Force and Hellenic Navy).
  • Safety of navigation (with the exception of lighthouses, racons and buoys, which are constructed, purchased, installed and maintained by the Hellenic Navy Lighthouse Service).
  • Protection of the marine environment and response to marine pollution incidents.
  • Provision of emergency maritime radio communication services.
  • Enforcement of seamen’s labour legislation. Supervision of institutions and social welfare and insurance funds which fall under the Ministry of Merchant Marine.--
  • Port operations (excluding port pilots service).
  • Merchant Ships and Shipping Companies inspection.
  • Representation of Greece in international organizations and the European Commission in matters related to these roles.

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 634 vehicles, including patrol vehicles, cars and motorcycles, buses and mini vans, trucks and tanker. The Coast Guard also operate seven airplanes and six helicopters.

Organization

Flag of the Hellenic Coast Guard flown in front of the Coast Guard offices in Rethymno Harbour.

The Hellenic Coast Guard is under the authority of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, which is headed by a commandant and assisted by two deputy commandants who all have the rank of vice admiral (Antinavarchos). , Georgios Alexandrakis serves as Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

The Hellenic Coast Guard operates the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Piraeus and the Emergency Radio Communications Station SXE at Aspropyrgos (). The Hellenic Coast Guard also operates the Vessel Traffic Service (V.T.M.I.S.) at busy sea lanes, currently around the ports of Piraeus, Elefsis, Lavrion and Rafina.

Between May 21, 1964, and 1980 the Hellenic Coast Guard had its own special flag, which was derived from the Greek Ensign with the addition of the crossed anchors badge on the center of the white cross.

Personnel

Most officers in recent years are graduates from higher education establishments, including the Merchant Marine Academies. After recruitment new officers study for four years at the Hellenic Naval Academy. Petty officers are trained for two years at Palaskas Naval Training Centre and lower rank enlisted men are trained at Scholi Limenofylakon () at Piraeus, for a duration of two years. With law Law 4029 of 2011, a volunteer Auxiliary Coast Guard was established. The Officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard have the same ranks as the Officers of the Hellenic Navy and similar insignia, replacing the curl with two crossed anchors. The Petty Officers (Ratings) also use rank insignia similar to those of the Hellenic Navy, replacing the speciality symbol with the crossed anchors badge.

Ranks and insignia

Commissioned officers

NCOs and enlisted

Fleet

As of 2015, the structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard consists of a fleet of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) sized 45–60 metres in length and of 300-450 tons displacement, six to twelve Patrol boats with lengths of 25–30 meters, and more than fifty Coastal Patrol Vessels of various types with lengths of 14–20 meters. In addition, the Hellenic Coast Guard operates a large number of fast Rigid-Inflatable Boat (RIB)/Special Forces vessels as well as eleven Lifeboats. Currently, the Hellenic Coast Guard fleet in its totality consists of approximately 240-250 vessels of all types. In August 2023, the Hellenic Coast Guard ordered 31 Munin S1200 patrol boats and three Metis high-speed RHIBs. Five Finnish-built fast patrol boats "Watercat 2000 Patrol" were ordered in early November 2023.

Model & ClassPhotoTypeLength (m)Displacement (tonnes)OriginYear ofIn serviceNotes
Stan Patrol 5509 / Class *Gavdos*[[File:Hellenic Coast Guard vessel ΛΣ-090 Gavdos.jpgframeless]]OPV58,5565The Netherlands2015**1**Vessel *ΛΣ-090*, built by Damen shipyards; delivered October 2015 with more than 82,5% funding from EU's External Borders Fund; weapon systems of choice to be installed still unspecified
Speed 27-30 knots
Sa'ar 4.5 / Class *Fourni*center200pxOPV58400IsraelGreece2003**3**title=Ετήσια Ανασκόπηση Ισορροπία Δυνάμεων 2011-2012trans-title=Annual Review Balance of Power 2011-2012date=May 2011publisher=Dyros Ltdeditor-first=E.editor-last=Pagotsislocation=Athens, Greecepage=77}}
Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 / Class *Arkoi*[[File:Hellenic Coast Guard OPV PLS050 Arkoi.jpgframeless]]OPV47.3300United Kingdom2002**1**Vessel *ΛΣ-050* originally bought by Financial Crime Prosecution Authorities 1994; transferred to HCG 2002 - remained decommissioned due mechanical problems; significant maintenance and repairs 2014; entered active service following donations from "Aikaterini Laskaridi" Foundation Can be armed with 40mm gun as main weapon system
Speed 40 knots
Cantiere Navale Vittoria P355 GR / Class *Marinos Zampatis*[[File:HCG VESSEL LS920.jpgframeless]]OPV36.3160Italy2020**4**Three ships ordered January 2019, with a plus one option - exercised July 2019 (90% EU funding); first two ships received December 2020; fourth January 2022; to replace the older *Dilos* (Abeking) class and to be fitted with 2x.50 LRCWS(Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations)
Vessels *ΛΣ-900*, *ΛΣ-910*, *ΛΣ-920*, *ΛΣ-930*; speed 40 knots
Abeking & Rasmussen / Class *Dilos* (Δήλος)[[Image:20071013-Chania-PLS015-0066.jpgcenter200px]]Patrol2986Greece1977 - under decommissioning**6**Vessels *ΛΣ-010*, *ΛΣ-015*, *ΛΣ-020*, *ΛΣ-025*, *ΛΣ-030*, *ΛΣ-040* by Marinos Zampatis class; design by Abeking & Rasmussen and built by ENAE shipyards
Speed 27 knots
POB-24G / Class *Faiakas* (Φαίακας)Patrol24.650Croatia2015**2**Vessels *ΛΣ-617* and *ΛΣ-618* delivered; remaining four boats (type POB-24G) initial order to not be delivered following legal action of HCG against manufacturer; Vessel *ΛΣ-618* equipped with an EMILY robotic SAR device; all boats have .50" heavy machine gun; speed 32 knots
Javelin-74[[File:Agia Galini - Crete, Greece - panoramio.jpgframeless]]Coastal Patrol19.227Greece2002**3**Vessels *ΛΣ-192*, *ΛΣ-193*, *ΛΣ-194*
Speed 50+ knots
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.II[[File:LS-616 patrol boat in Kos.jpgcenterframeless]]Coastal Patrol19.227Greece2002**16**Vessels *ΛΣ-601* to *ΛΣ-616*
Built by Motomarine-Greece; speed 50+ knots
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I[[File:Hellenic Coast Guard.jpgcenter200px]]Coastal Patrol18.228Greece1998**19**Vessels *ΛΣ-137* to *ΛΣ-151* and *ΛΣ-169* to *ΛΣ-172*
Built by Motomarine-Greece; speed 44 knots
LCS-53 (Lambro-53 Guardian)[[File:20140408 argostoli225.JPGframeless]]Coastal Patrol16.821Greece1992**11**Vessels *ΛΣ-114* to *ΛΣ-126*
Built by Motomarine-Greece; speed 33 knots
Fabio Buzzi Design 56SFPatrol / HCG Special Forces16,10Italy**0/15**15 Fabio Buzzi 56F patrol boats ordered January 2020 - to be delivered by 2023; speed 50+ knots
CB-90HCGPatrol / HCG Special Forces15.918.5Sweden1999**3**Combat boats by Dockstavarvet; armed with two twin remote-controlled .50" heavy machine guns with level IV armor plates
Vessels *ΛΣ-134* to *ΛΣ-136*; allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Ionian Islands); speed 45 knots
Olympic D65/74Coastal Patrol22.530Greece1973 - under decommissioning**4**Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks / *ΛΣ-102* series
Olympic D-45MCoastal Patrol13.925Greece1973 - under decommissioning**5**Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-45Coastal Patrol13.925Greece1973 - under decommissioning**4**Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-44Coastal Patrol13.425Greece1973 - under decommissioning**3**Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks / *ΛΣ-153* series
WellcraftCoastal Patrol / HCG Special ForcesUSA2004**1**Donated by USCG 2004; Vessel *ΛΣ-797* allocated to HCG's Seals
Madera MRCD-1250Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces12,5The Netherlands**2**Military grade boats for HCG's Seals; able to carry 10-12 troops each; armed with .50" gun and two 7.62mm machine guns; speed 49 knots
Fabio Buzzi MIL-40Patrol / HCG Special Forces12.27Italy1997**2**Vessels *ΛΣ-132* and *ΛΣ-133*; Allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Ionian islands)
Speed 50-55 knots
Magna OndaPatrol / HCG Special Forces11.75.4Greece1987**2**Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands); speed 52 knots
Halter Marine HSBPatrol / HCG Special Forces11.6USA2004**1**Donated by USCG 2004
Fabio Buzzi MIL-38Patrol / HCG Special Forces11.587Italy1997**2**Vessels *ΛΣ-129* and *ΛΣ-130* allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands)
Speed 50-55 knots
Rafnar 1100Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces11,54GreeceIceland2020**10**Donation from 'Union of Greek Shipowners'; Icelandic design, built by RAFNAR Hellas under licence; Vessels *ΛΣ-1054* to *ΛΣ-1063*; speed 50+ knots
Naval Special Warfare (NSW)Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces117.9USA2022**2**Donated by US May 2022 - along with four more to Hellenic Navy; speed 45 knots
Magna 110 Hurricane Mk.I/IIPatrol RIB / HCG Special Forces10,8Greece2013**2***ΛΣ-1002*, *ΛΣ-1005*
System 33/Nemesis RIB[[File:20190509 380 gytheion.jpgcenterframeless]]Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces10.35Greece2014**10**All vessels donated by SNF; speed 50+ knots
Oceanic InterceptorPatrol RIB / HCG Special ForcesGreece2004**?**Allocated to HCG's Seals
Super OndaPatrol / HCG Special Forces8.62.8Greece1987**2**Allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands); speed 52 knots
Boston Whaler, *Outrage-280*[[Image:HCG 004.jpgcenter200px]]Patrol / HCG Special Forces8.343USA2004**3**Allocated to HCG's Special Forces Piraeus; *ΛΣ-798*, *ΛΣ-799* and *ΛΣ-800*; Donated by USCG 2004
Gibli-1025Coastal Patrol RIB10,25Greece2001**12**Vessels *ΛΣ-3xx*
Mostro Top Gun 964Coastal Patrol RIB9.91.6Greece1997**8**Vessels *ΛΣ-2xx*
Mostro Top Gun 864Coastal Patrol RIB9.31.4Greece1992**11**Vessels *ΛΣ-2xx*
Oceanic 9000 Stealth[[File:20100412 eginf15.jpgframeless]]Coastal Patrol RIB92Greece1998**18**Vessels *ΛΣ-3xx*
Magna 31Coastal Patrol RIB8.62.8Greece2013**2***ΛΣ-1003*, *ΛΣ-1004*
Viking Norsafe Munin S1200 Extended Cabin[[File:20211103 220 aigina.jpgframeless]]Ambulance Vessel127GreeceNorway2020**7/15**Built by Viking Norsafe Hellas; Vessels *ΛΣ-1064* to *ΛΣ-1070* allocated to Greek islands; speed 40 knots
Lambro Halmatic 60[[Image:20070407-Zea-NG513-b.jpgcenter200px]]Lifeboat1837Greece1999**10**Vessels' series *Ν/Γ-511* to *Ν/Γ-520*
Arun HalmaticLifeboat1637United Kingdom1992**1**Vessel *Ν/Γ-510*
LMPA-29Pollution control29240Greece Spain1994**5**Built by Motomarine, Greece; Designed by Astilleros Gondan, Spain; Vessels *ΛΣ-413* to *ΛΣ-417*
PollcatPollution control1985Denmark United Kingdom1999**4**Built by Manor Marine, Portland; designed by Desmi Denmark; Vessels *ΛΣ-418* to *ΛΣ-421*
BSK Skipper 38 PatrolPatrol Vessel12Greece2024**1**Built by BSK Marine, Koropi, Attica

Aircraft fleet

The Hellenic Coast Guard operates a small fleet of fixed wing aircraft based at Tatoi (Dekelia) Air Base, (LGTT, ).

AircraftPhotoIDTypeVersionsOriginYear acquiredIn serviceNotes
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin[[File:HC-31 over Athens.jpgframeless]]HC-31 to HC-36Patrol helicopterAS 365N3France2003**6**Based at Kotroni Naval Air Station (LGKN) in cooperation with Hellenic Navy
Cessna 406 Caravan II[[File:HCG Reims-Cessna F406 7085.jpgframeless]]AC-21 to AC-23Maritime patrolF406France2000**3**Built by Reims
Socata TB[[Image:HCG Socata TB-20.jpgcenter200px]]AC-3, AC-4Utility aircraftTB 20France1985**2**
Cessna 172 SkyhawkAC-1, AC-2Utility aircraft172RGUSA1981**2**
IAI Heron 1[[File:IAI Heron 1 in flight 2.JPEGcenterframeless]]UC-01UAVHeron 1Israel20221

HCG facilities ==

  1. New headquarters and VTMIS operations centre (Pireaus):
  2. Old headquarters and SAR coordination centre (Pireaus):
  3. Mooring for Open Sea Patrol Vessels (Keratsini):
  4. Coast Guard apron at Tatoi Air Base:
  5. Aspropyrgos Maritime Communications Radio Station SXE:
  6. Piraeus Central Port Authority:
  7. Enlisted men training facility (Σχολή Λιμενοφυλάκων):
  8. Piraeus VTMIS AIS receiver 002393200
  9. Psyttaleia Island VTMIS AIS receiver 002391100
  10. Patras VTS
  11. Thessaloniki VTS
  12. Corfu Island VTS
  13. Igoumenitsa VTS
  14. Lavrion VTS
  15. Rafina Port

References

References

  1. (2011). "Σύσταση Αρχηγείου Λιμενικού Σώματος - Ελληνικής Ακτοφυλακής και άλλες διατάξεις".
  2. (2013). "Ανασυγκρότηση του Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου και άλλες διατάξεις".
  3. (2007). "Greek ship-owners and shipping businesses: organization, strategy and administration".
  4. (2021-03-09). "Roles and Responsibilities".
  5. (2002). "Greece, Coast Radio Stations, Hellenic Coast Guard MRCC and MRSC".
  6. (2021-03-08). "Vessels".
  7. (2021-03-08). "Vehicles".
  8. (2021-03-08). "Aircraft".
  9. (2020-10-14). "102 Χρόνια από την Ίδρυση του Λιμενικού Σώματος (1919-2021)".
  10. (2021-03-08). "The Leadership of HCG".
  11. (2011). "θελοντισμός στο Λιμενικό Σώμα − Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή και στο Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα και άλλες διατάξεις.".
  12. (21 December 2014). "Ο Στόλος του Λιμενικού Σώματος /Ελληνικής Ακτοφυλακής το 2015".
  13. "Επιχειρησιακά Μέσα".
  14. "The Hellenic Coast Guard's Mission to Secure the Seas from Illicit Trade".
  15. D-Mitch. (2 April 2020). "Infographics of Coast Guard Vessels #7: The new boats of the Hellenic Coast Guard 2020-2024".
  16. (31 August 2023). "Viking wins 34-vessel order for Greek coastguard".
  17. (2023-11-02). "Πέντε ταχύπλοα για την φύλαξη των θαλάσσιων συνόρων".
  18. (May 2011). "Ετήσια Ανασκόπηση Ισορροπία Δυνάμεων 2011-2012". Dyros Ltd.
  19. (10 December 2015). "Τελετή Απόδοσης σε Ενέργεια του Πλοίου Ανοιχτής Θαλάσσης Λιμενικού Σώματος (ΠΑΘ/ΛΣ) 050".
  20. "Class ''Faiakas'' (Φαίακας)".
  21. (29 April 2014). "Greek coastguard orders six coastal patrol craft".
  22. "New FB 56' SF model for the Hellenic Coast Guard".
  23. Archus, Dorian. (2020-02-02). "FB Design to build 15 patrol boats for Hellenic Coast Guard".
  24. (2019-11-23). "Shipowners donate 10 high-speed boats Rafnar to Greek Coast Guard".
  25. "Project Nemesis".
  26. (2004-06-04). "U.S. Donates Patrol Boats to Hellenic Coast Guard for 2004 Olympics".
  27. (1994). "Antipollution vessel ALPHA".
  28. (2011). "Astilleros Gondan Alfa".
  29. (2016). "Desmi Ro-Clean Pollcats".
  30. (2024). "Τελετή παράδοσης του ταχύπλοου περιπολικού σκάφους SKIPPER 38 PATROL στο Λιμεναρχείο Μυκόνου".
  31. (January 15, 2007). "Aerospace Source Book 2007: World Military Aircraft Inventory". [[Aviation Week & Space Technology]].
  32. "Incident IAI Heron 1".
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