Coast guard

A coast guard is an organization devoted to saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners or people in danger at sea. In some countries it is part of the military. In other countries it is a civilian or even volunteer organization. Most coast guards operate ships and aircraft including helicopters and seaplanes for this purpose.

National coast guards

In the United States, the United States Coast Guard is a military service under the United States Department of Homeland Security in peacetime. In wartime the Coast Guard reports to the Secretary of the Navy but does not become part of the United States Navy; however, its boats and cutters are integrated into U.S. military operations. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Officer Candidate School is located in New London, Connecticut. The U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Academy is located in Petaluma, California.

Related Topics:
United States - United States Coast Guard - United States Department of Homeland Security - Peacetime - Wartime - Secretary of the Navy - United States Navy - New London, Connecticut

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In Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard is a civilian service under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans responsible for patroling the world's longest coastline of 202,080 km. The Canadian Coast Guard College is located near Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Related Topics:
Canada - Canadian Coast Guard - Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Canadian Coast Guard College - Sydney, Nova Scotia

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

Related Topics:
India - Indian Coast Guard

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In Singapore, the coast guard comes under the command of the Singapore Police Force. Hence, it is called the Police Coast Guard (PCG).

Related Topics:
Singapore - Singapore Police Force - Police Coast Guard

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In the United Kingdom coastguard functions are split between four organisations: HM Coastguard deals with rescue co-ordination and carries out land-based rescues, Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board maintain buoys and lighthouses, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution carries out rescues from the sea, assisted by Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Coastguard air-sea rescue helicopters when necessary.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - HM Coastguard - Rescue - Trinity House - Northern Lighthouse Board - Buoy - Lighthouse - Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Royal Air Force - Royal Navy

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

Related Topics:
Italy - Guardia Costiera

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