Hellenic Coast Guard

Hellenic Coast Guard
Hellenic Coast Guard badge
Active	1919
Country	Greece
Type	Coast guard
Role	Coastal defence maritime law
Size	8,000 personnel
Equipment	240 vessels
Website	www.hcg.gr
Commanders
Commandant	Vice Admiral Theodoros Kliaris
Insignia
Flag
Racing stripe
Aircraft flown
Helicopter	AS365 Dauphin AS332 Super Puma
Patrol	Cessna 172 Cessna F406

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.

Organization[]

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The Hellenic Coast Guard Force is currently under the authority of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, which 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.

The Hellenic Coast Guard operates the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Piraeus and the Emergency Radio Communications Station SXE at Aspropyrgos (

38°02′12.5″N 23°35′7.5″E / 38.036806°N 23.585417°E / 38.036806; 23.585417). 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.

Role and responsibilities[]

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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:

• Law enforcement at sea, ports and coastal areas. Prevention of illegal immigration. Surveillance of the sea, shipping, ports and borders.
• Search and rescue at sea (jointly with the Hellenic Air Force, which is responsible for search and rescue by air).
• 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.^[1]
• Port operations (excluding port pilots service).
• Representation of Greece in international organizations and the European Commission in matters related to these roles.

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.^[2] 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.^[3]

Ranks and insignia[]

Commissioned officers[]

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer
Hellenic Coast Guard[4] v
					Αντιναύαρχος Antinavarchos		Υποναύαρχος Yponavarchos		Αρχιπλοίαρχος Archiploiarchos		Πλοίαρχος Ploiarchos		Αντιπλοίαρχος Antiploiarchos		Πλωτάρχης Plotarchis		Υποπλοίαρχος Ypoploiarchos		Ανθυποπλοίαρχος Anthypoploiarchos			Σημαιοφόρος Simaioforos

NCOs and enlisted[]

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Hellenic Coast Guard[4] v
	Ανθυπασπιστής Anthypaspistis						Αρχικελευστής Archikelefstis		Επικελευστής Epikelefstis		Κελευστής Kelefstis												Λιμενοφύλακας Limenofylakas

Fleet[]

As of 2015, the structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard predicts a fleet consisting of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) sized 45–60 metres in length and of 300-450 tonnes displacement, six to twelve Patrol boats with lengths of 25–30 metres and more than fifty Coastal Patrol Vessels of various types with lengths of 14–20 metres.^[5][6] 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 vessels of all types.^{[citation needed]}

Model & Class	Photo	Type	Length (m)	Displacement (tonnes)	Origin	Year acquired	In service	Notes
Stan Patrol 5509 / Gavdos		OPV	58,5	565	The Netherlands	2015	1	Vessel ΛΣ-090, built by Damen shipyards and delivered in October 2015 with more than 82,5% funding of EU's External Borders Fund. Weapon systems of choice to be installed are still unspecified. Speed of 27-30 knots.
Sa'ar 4.5 / Fourni	Saar IV class Open sea patrol boat PLS-060 (ΛΣ-060), SY4138, under way in Saronikos Bay.	OPV	58	400	Israel Greece	2003/2004	3	Vessels ΛΣ-060, ΛΣ-070 built in Israel (2003) and ΛΣ-080 built in Greece (2004) are weapon-downsized/modified FACs, each fitted with an OTO Breda 30mm/70 gun as main armament and two remote controlled 0.50" heavy machine guns but without anti-ship missiles. Acquired prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics. Speed of 34.5 knots. [7]
Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 / Arkoi		OPV	47.3	300	United Kingdom	2002	1	Vessel ΛΣ-050 was originally bought by Financial Crime Prosecution Authorities in 1994 and transferred on HCG in 2002, in which remained decommissioned due mechanical problems. In 2014 underwent significant maintenance and repairs and entered active service again following donations from "Aikaterini Laskaridi" Foundation.[8] The boat can be armed with 40mm gun as main weapon system. Speed of 40 knots.
Cantiere Navale Vittoria P355 GR / Marinos Zampatis		OPV	36.3	160	Italy	2020/	2/4	Three ships order on January 2019, plus one option on July 2019 with 90% EU funding. Two of them were received at December 2020, starting replacement of the older Dilos (Abeking) class. They will be fitted with 2x0,50 LRCWS -Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations. Vessels ΛΣ-900 and ΛΣ-910. Speed of 40 knots.
Abeking & Rasmussen / Class Dilos (Δήλος)	Patrol boat ΛΣ-015 of Dilos class in port in Crete.	Patrol	29	86	Greece	1977/1978 under decommissioning	6	Vessels ΛΣ-010, ΛΣ-015, ΛΣ-020, ΛΣ-025, ΛΣ-030 and ΛΣ-040, all six boats are currently under decommissioning by Marinos Zampatis class; design by Abeking & Rasmussen built by ENAE shipyards. Speed of 27 knots.
POB-24G / Class Faiakas (Φαίακας)		Patrol	24.6		Croatia	2015	2	Vessels ΛΣ-617 and ΛΣ-618 have been delivered. The remaining four (4) boats (type ) of the initial order[9] will not be delivered following legal action of HCG against the manufacturer. Vessel ΛΣ-618 is equipped with an EMILY robotic SAR device. Each of the boats of the class will bear a .50" heavy machine gun. Speed of 32 knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.II	Patrol boat ΛΣ-607 Motomarine LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I.	Patrol	19.2	27	Greece	2002/2003	16	Vessels ΛΣ-601 to ΛΣ-616. Built by Motomarine-Greece. Speed 50+ knots.
Javelin-74		Coastal Patrol	19.2	27	Greece	2002	3	Vessels ΛΣ-192, ΛΣ-193 and ΛΣ-194 Speed of 50+ knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I	Coastal patrol boat ΛΣ-172 Motomarine LCS-57 Mk.II at Zea marina coast guard station, Piraeus.	Coastal Patrol	18.2	28	Greece	1998/1999	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)		Coastal Patrol	16.8	21	Greece	1992/1994	11	Vessels ΛΣ-114 to ΛΣ-126. Built by Motomarine-Greece. Speed 33 knots.
Fabio Buzzi Design 56SF	FB 56SF Image	Patrol / HCG Special Forces	16,10		Italy		0/15	15 Fabio Buzzi 56F patrol boats have been ordered (Jan 2020), to be delivered by 2023. [10][11] Speed over 50 knots.
CB-90HCG		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	15.9	18.5	Sweden	1999	3	Combat boats by Dockstavarvet, each armed with two twin remote controlled 0.50" heavy machine guns and carry level IV armor plates. Vessels ΛΣ-134 to ΛΣ-136. Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Ionian Islands) Speed of 45 knots. [7]
Olympic D65/74		Coastal Patrol	22.5	30	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	4	Olympic line is under decommissioning. Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks / ΛΣ-102 series
Olympic D-45M		Coastal Patrol	13.9	25	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	5	Olympic line is under decommissioning. Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-45		Coastal Patrol	13.9	25	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	4	Olympic line is under decommissioning. Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-44		Coastal Patrol	13.4	25	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	3	Olympic line is under decommissioning. Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks / ΛΣ-153 series
Wellcraft		Coastal Patrol / HCG Special Forces			USA	2004	1	Donated by the USCG in 2004. Vessel ΛΣ-797 allocated to the HCG's Seals.
Madera MRCD-1250	MRCD-1250 Image	Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	12,5		The Netherlands		2	Military grade boats for HCG's Seals, able to carry 10-12 troops each. Armed with 0.50" gun and two 7.62mm machine guns. Speed of 49 knots.
MIL-40 Fabio Buzzi		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	12.2	7	Italy	1997/1999	2	Vessels ΛΣ-132 and ΛΣ-133. Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Ionian islands) Speed of 50-55 knots.
Magna Onda		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	11.7	5.4	Greece	1987	2	Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands) Speed of 52 knots
Halter Marine HSB		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	11.6		USA	2004	1	Donated by the USCG in 2004
MIL-38 Fabio Buzzi		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	11.58	7	Italy	1997/1999	2	Vessels ΛΣ-129 and ΛΣ-130 allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands) Speed of 50-55 knots.
Rafnar 1100		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	11,5	4	Greece Iceland	2020/2021	10	Donation from the 'Union of Greek Shipowners'. Icelandic design, built by RAFNAR Hellas under licence. Vessels ΛΣ-1054 to ΛΣ-1063. Speed of 50+ knots.[12]
Magna 110 Hurricane Mk.I/II		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	10,8		Greece	2013	2	ΛΣ-1002, ΛΣ-1005
System 33/Nemesis RIB[13]		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	10.35		Greece	2014	10	All vessels are donation by SNF having speed of 50+ knots.
Oceanic Interceptor		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces			Greece	2004	?	Allocated to the HCG's Seals.
Super Onda		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	8.6	2.8	Greece	1987	2	Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands) Speed of 52 knots
Boston Whaler, Outrage-280	Boston Whaler ΛΣ-798 patrol craft towed for a parade.	Patrol / HCG Special Forces	8.34	3	USA	2004	3	Allocated to the HCG's Special Forces at Piraeus. ΛΣ-798, ΛΣ-799 and ΛΣ-800. Donated by the USCG in 2004.[14]
Gibli-1025		Coastal Patrol RIB	10,25		Greece	2001	12	Vessels ΛΣ-3xx
Mostro Top Gun 964		Coastal Patrol RIB	9.9	1.6	Greece	1997	8	Vessels ΛΣ-2xx
Mostro Top Gun 864		Coastal Patrol RIB	9.3	1.4	Greece	1992	11	Vessels ΛΣ-2xx
Oceanic 9000 Stealth		Coastal Patrol RIB	9	2	Greece	1998/1999	18	Vessels ΛΣ-3xx
Magna 31		Coastal Patrol RIB	8.6	2.8	Greece	2013	2	ΛΣ-1003, ΛΣ-1004
Viking Norsafe Munin S1200 Ext.Cabin		Ambulance Vessel	12	7	Greece Norway	2020/	3/8	Built by Viking Norsafe Hellas. Vessels ΛΣ-1064 to ΛΣ-1066 allocated to Greek islands. Speed of 40 knots.
Lambro Halmatic 60	SAR-513, one of ten Halmatic 60, at Zea marina coast guard station, Piraeus	Lifeboat	18	37	Greece	1999	10	Vessels' series Ν/Γ-511 to Ν/Γ-520
Arun Halmatic		Lifeboat	16	37	United Kingdom	1992	1	Vessel Ν/Γ-510
LMPA-29		Pollution control	29	240	Greece  Spain	1994	5	Built by Motomarine - Greece. Designed by Astilleros Gondan - Spain.[15][16] Vessels ΛΣ-413 to ΛΣ-417
Pollcat		Pollution control	19	85	Denmark	1999	4	by Desmi, Denmark. Vessels ΛΣ-418 to ΛΣ-421

Aircraft fleet[]

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

38°06′35.1″N 23°46′55.5″E / 38.109750°N 23.782083°E / 38.109750; 23.782083). Its four AS 332 Super Puma Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters are operated by the Hellenic Air Force 384 Squadron, based at Elefsis Air Base (LGEL), with mixed Air Force and Coast Guard crews.^{[citation needed]}

Aircraft	Photo	ID	Type	Versions	Origin	Year acquired	In service[17]	Notes
Eurocopter Super Puma	Combat SAR Super Puma at the open day at Tatoi-Dekelia AFB.		SAR helicopter	AS 332C	France		4	The aircraft belongs to the Hellenic Air Force and is also used by the Coast Guard [7]
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin		HC-31 to HC-36	Patrol helicopter	AS 365N3	France	2003	6	Based at Kotroni Naval Air Station (LGKN) in cooperation with Hellenic Navy [7]
Cessna 406 Caravan II	Reims Cessna F-406 aircraft of the Hellenic Coast Guard	AC-21 to AC-23	Maritime patrol	F406	France	2000	3	Built by Reims [7]
Socata TB	Socata TB-20 Trinidad single engine aircraft AC-3 of the Hellenic CG at Dekelia Air Base.	AC-3, AC-4	Utility aircraft	TB 20	France	1985	2	[7]
Cessna 172 Skyhawk		AC-1, AC-2	Utility aircraft	172RG	USA	1981	2	[7]

HCG facilities[]

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1. New headquarters and VTMIS operations centre (Pireaus): 37°56′33″N 23°37′35″E / 37.94250°N 23.62639°E / 37.94250; 23.62639
2. Old headquarters and SAR coordination centre (Pireaus): 37°56′23.5″N 23°38′55″E / 37.939861°N 23.64861°E / 37.939861; 23.64861
3. Mooring for Open Sea Patrol Vessels (Keratsini): 37°57′25.7″N 23°36′39.7″E / 37.957139°N 23.611028°E / 37.957139; 23.611028
4. Coast Guard apron at Tatoi Air Base: 38°06′35.1″N 23°46′55.5″E / 38.109750°N 23.782083°E / 38.109750; 23.782083
5. Aspropyrgos Maritime Communications Radio Station SXE: 38°02′12.5″N 23°35′7.5″E / 38.036806°N 23.585417°E / 38.036806; 23.585417
6. Piraeus Central Port Authority: 37°56′23″N 23°38′24″E / 37.93972°N 23.64000°E / 37.93972; 23.64000
7. Enlisted men training facility (Σχολή Λιμενοφυλάκων): 37°56′10.3″N 23°37′40.4″E / 37.936194°N 23.627889°E / 37.936194; 23.627889
8. Piraeus VTMIS AIS receiver 002393200 37°56.369′N 023°38.381′E / 37.939483°N 23.639683°E / 37.939483; 23.639683
9. Psyttaleia Island VTMIS AIS receiver 002391100 37°56.620′N 23°35.664′E / 37.943667°N 23.594400°E / 37.943667; 23.594400
10. Patras VTS 38°14′46″N 21°43′44″E / 38.24617°N 21.72886°E / 38.24617; 21.72886
11. Thessaloniki VTS 40°38′17″N 22°55′31″E / 40.63802°N 22.92522°E / 40.63802; 22.92522
12. Corfu Island VTS 39°37′37″N 19°54′20″E / 39.62708°N 19.90554°E / 39.62708; 19.90554
13. Igoumenitsa VTS 39°29′17″N 20°15′32″E / 39.48799°N 20.25899°E / 39.48799; 20.25899
14. Lavrion VTS 37°42′50″N 24°03′45″E / 37.71394°N 24.06252°E / 37.71394; 24.06252
15. Rafina Port 38°01.347′N 24°0.522′E / 38.022450°N 24.008700°E / 38.022450; 24.008700

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hellenic Coast Guard.

• Hellenic Coast Guard official website
• International Lifeboat Federation
• "Insignia of HCG Officers and Petty Officers". Ministry of Merchant Marine. Archived from the original (JPEG) on 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-08-11.