Hellenic Coast Guard

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Hellenic Coast Guard
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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.

Organization

Old ensign of the Hellenic Coast Guard (in use 1964-1980)

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.

The Hellenic Coast Guard operates the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Piraeus and the Emergency Radio Communications Station SXE at Aspropyrgos (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.). 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.[1]

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:

  • 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.[2]
  • 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 one year at the Hellenic Naval Academy. Petty officers are trained for nine months at Palaskas Naval Training Centre and lower rank enlisted men are trained at Scholi Limenofylakon at Piraeus. With law Law 4029 of 2011, a volunteer Auxiliary Coast Guard was established.[3] 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.[4]

Officer Grade Structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard
OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
(no equivalent) Αντιναύαρχος
Antinavarchos
(Vice Admiral)		 Υποναύαρχος
Yponavarchos
(Rear Admiral)		 Αρχιπλοίαρχος
Archiploiarchos
(Commodore)		 Πλοίαρχος
Ploiarchos
(Captain)		 Αντιπλοίαρχος
Antiploiarchos
(Commander)		 Πλωτάρχης
Plotarchis
(Lt. Commander)		 Υποπλοίαρχος
Ypoploiarchos
(Lieutenant)		 Ανθυποπλοίαρχος
Anthypoploiarchos
(Lieutenant junior grade)		 Σημαιοφόρος
Simaioforos
(Ensign)
(no equivalent)
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NCO Rank Structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard
OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Ανθυπασπιστής
Anthipaspistis
(Fleet Chief Petty Officer)		 Αρχικελευστής
Archikelefstis (Chief Petty Officer)		 Επικελευστής
Epikelefstis (Petty Officer)		 Κελευστής
Kelefstis
(Leading seaman)		 Λιμενοφύλακας
Limenofylakas
(Seaman)
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Fleet

File:Hellenic Coast Guard PLS-060.jpg
Offshore Patrol Boat (OPV) type Sa'ar 4.
File:20071013-Chania-PLS015-0066.jpg
Patrol boat ΛΣ-015 of Dilos class in port in Crete.
Coastal patrol boat ΛΣ-172 type LCS-57 Mk.II at Zea marina coast guard station, Piraeus.
File:20080412-MarinaDelta-PLS607.jpg
Coastal patrol boat ΛΣ-608 LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I.
File:20070407-Zea-NG513-b.jpg
SAR-513, one of ten Arun 60 lifeboats operated by the Hellenic Coast Guard, at Zea marina coast guard station, Piraeus
File:HCG 004.jpg
Boston Whaler ΛΣ-798 patrol craft towed for a parade.

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.

Model/Class Type Length (m) Displacement (tonnes) Origin In service Notes
Sa'ar 4 OPV 58 450  Israel /  Greece 3[7] Vessels ΛΣ-060, ΛΣ-070 and ΛΣ-080 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.
Speed of 34.5 knots.
Stan Patrol 5509 OPV 58 430  The Netherlands 1 Vessel ΛΣ-090, built by Damen shipyards and delivered in October 2015. Weapon systems of choice to be installed are still unspecified.
Speed of 27-30 knots.
Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 OPV 47.3 300  United Kingdom 1 Vessel ΛΣ-050 underwent significant maintenance and repairs and entered active service again following donations from the private sector.[8] The boat can be armed with 40mm gun as main weapon system.
Speed of 40 knots.
Class Dilos (Δήλος) Patrol 29 86  Greece 6 Vessels ΛΣ-010, ΛΣ-015, ΛΣ-020, ΛΣ-025, ΛΣ-030 and ΛΣ-040, all six boats are currently under consideration for decommissioning following extensive service; design by Abeking & Rasmussen built by ENAE shipyards.
Speed of 27 knots.
Class Faiakas (Φαίακας) Patrol 24.6  Croatia 2 (+4) Vessels ΛΣ-617 and ΛΣ-618 delivered with other four (4) boats (type POB-24G) remaining on order,[9] to be delivered by 2016. 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.
CB-90HCG Coastal Patrol / Combat 15.9 20  Sweden 3[7] Vessels ΛΣ-134 to ΛΣ-136. All are combat boats, each armed with two twin remote controlled 0.50" heavy machine guns and carry level IV armor plates.
Speed of 40-45 knots.
Javelin-74 Coastal Patrol 19.2 27  Greece 3 Vessels ΛΣ-192, ΛΣ-193 and ΛΣ-194
Speed of 50+ knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I Coastal Patrol 18.2 28  Greece 19 Vessels ΛΣ-137 to ΛΣ-151 and ΛΣ-169 to ΛΣ-172.
Speed of 44 knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.II Coastal Patrol 19.2 27  Greece 16 Vessels ΛΣ-601 to ΛΣ-616.
Speed of 50+ knots.
LCS-53 (Lambro-53 Guardian) Coastal Patrol 16.8 21  Greece 11 Vessels ΛΣ-114 to ΛΣ-121 and ΛΣ-124 ΛΣ-126.
Speed of 33 knots.
Olympic L65/74 Coastal Patrol 23  Greece 4 ΛΣ-102 series
Olympic L-44 Coastal Patrol 14 25  Greece 3 ΛΣ-153 series
D-45 Coastal Patrol 13.9 25  Greece 4
D-45M Coastal Patrol 13.9 25  Greece 5
Arun Halmatic Lifeboat 16 37  United Kingdom 1 Vessel SAR-510
Lambro Halmatic 60 Lifeboats 18 37  Greece 10 Vessels' series SAR-511 to SAR-520.
System 33/Nemesis RIB[10] RIB Coastal Patrol 10.35  Greece 10 All vessels are donation by SNF having speed of 50+ knots.
MIL-38 Coastal Patrol 11.85 7  Greece 2 Vessels ΛΣ-129 and ΛΣ-130.
Speed of 50-55 knots.
MIL-40 Coastal Patrol 13 7  Greece 2 Vessels ΛΣ-132 and ΛΣ-133.
Speed of 50-55 knots.
Madera MRCD-1250 RIB Special Forces 12,5  The Netherlands 2 Military grade boats for HCG's special forces, able to carry 10-12 troops each. Armed with 0.50" gun and two 7.62mm machine guns.
Speed of 49 knots.
Magna 110 Hurricane Mk.I/II RIB Coastal Patrol 10,8  Greece 2
Magna Onda Coastal Patrol 11.7 5.4  Greece 2
Super Onda Coastal Patrol 8.6 2.8  Greece 2
Magna 31 RIB Coastal Patrol 8.6 2.8  Greece 3 One (1) donated at 2014 by Dmitry Rybolovlev
Oceanic Interceptor RIB Coastal Patrol  Greece  ?
Gibli-1025 RIB Coastal Patrol 10,25  Greece 12
Oceanic 9000 Stealth RIB Coastal Patrol 9 2  Greece 18
Mostro Top Gun 864/964 RIB Coastal Patrol 9.3/9.9 1.4/1.6  Greece 19
Boston Whaler Coastal patrol, Diver support 9  USA 3 ΛΣ-798, ... Donated by the USCG in 2004.[11]
Halter Marine HSB Coastal patrol, Diver support  USA 1 ... Donated by the USCG in 2004
Wellcraft Coastal patrol, Diver support  USA 1 ... Donated by the USCG in 2004
LS-413 (LMPA) Pollution control 29 240  Spain 3 by Astilleros Gondan, Spain.[12][13]
Pollcat Pollution control 18.5 85 3

Aircraft fleet

File:Hellenic Coast Guard Reims-Cessna F406.JPG
Reims Cessna F-406 aircraft of the Hellenic Coast Guard
File:HCG Socata TB-20.jpg
Socata TB-20 Trinidad single engine aircraft AC-3 of the Hellenic CG at Dekelia Air Base.

The Hellenic Coast Guard operates a small fleet of fixed wing aircraft based at Tatoi (Dekelia) Air Base, (LGTT, Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.). 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.

Aircraft ID Type Versions Origin In service[14] Notes
Eurocopter Super Puma SAR helicopter AS 332C  France 4[7] Operated by the Hellenic Air Force
Aérospatiale Dauphin HC-31 to HC-36 Patrol helicopter AS 365N3  France 6[7] Based at Kotroni Naval Air Station (LGKN) in cooperation with Hellenic Navy
Cessna 406 Caravan II AC-21 to AC-23 Maritime patrol F406  France 3[7] Built by Reims
Cessna 172 Skyhawk AC-1, AC-2 Utility aircraft 172RG  USA 2[7]
Socata TB AC-3, AC-4 Utility aircraft TB 20  France 2[7]

HCG facilities

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

File:HCG 001.JPG
Coast guard vehicle
  1. New headquarters and VTMIS operations centre: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Old headquarters and SAR coordination centre: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Mooring for Open Sea Patrol Vessels (Keratsini): Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Coast Guard apron at Tatoi Air Base: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Aspropyrgos Maritime Communications Radio Station SXE: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Piraeus Central Port Authority: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Enlisted men training facility (Σχολή Λιμενοφυλάκων): Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Piraeus VTMIS AIS receiver 002393200 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Psyttaleia Island VTMIS AIS receiver 002391100 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Patras VTS Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Thessaloniki VTS Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Corfu Island VTS Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Igoumenitsa VTS Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. Lavrion VTS Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. Rafina Port Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

References

  1. ↑ Photo of old Hellenic CG flag.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  3. ↑ Law 4029, Government Gazette A 245, 2011-11-22
  4. ↑ Grade/rank insignia of the Hellenic CG (Ministry of Merchant Marine)
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ http://www.yen.gr/wide/yen.chtm?prnbr=24177
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://www.elmon.com/products/defence-systems.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/34009.htm
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.

External links

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