Hellenic Coast Guard

Harbor Corps-Hellenic Coast Guard
Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή
Limeniko Soma-Elliniki Aktofylaki
Hellenic Coast Guard badge
Hellenic Coast Guard badge
Racing stripe
Racing stripe
Flag
Flag
AbbreviationHCG
Agency overview
Formed1919
Employees8,000
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionGreece
Constituting instruments
  • Law No. 1753/1919
  • Law No. 3922/2011[1]
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Coastal patrol, marine border protection, marine search and rescue.
Operational structure
Elected officer responsible
Agency executives
  • Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis, Commandant
  • Vice Admiral Alexandros Tselikis, First Deputy Commandant
  • Vice Admiral Aristeidis Pantazoglou, Second Deputy Commandant
Parent agencyMinistry of Shipping and Insular Policy
Facilities
Boats240 vessels
Fixed wing aircraft
HelicoptersEurocopter AS365 Dauphin
Notables
Person
Website
www.hcg.gr
Colors : Cyan, White & Gold    

The Hellenic Coast Guard (Greek: Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή, romanizedLimeniko Soma-Elliniki Aktofylaki, lit.'Harbor 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. The officers and the enlisted members of the Coast Guard are regarded as military personnel under Military's Penal Code.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

  1. ^ Σύσταση Αρχηγείου Λιμενικού Σώματος - Ελληνικής Ακτοφυλακής και άλλες διατάξεις [Establishment of the Coast Guard Headquarters - Hellenic Coast Guard and other provisions] (Law 3922) (in Greek). 2011.
  2. ^ Ανασυγκρότηση του Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου και άλλες διατάξεις [Reorganization of the Ministry of Shipping and the Aegean and other provisions] (Law 4150, 4) (in Greek). 2013. Translated English Version
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference duty was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Theotokas, Giannes & Harlaftis, Gelina (2007). Greek ship-owners and shipping businesses: organization, strategy and administration (in Greek). pp. 399–401.