Hellenic Coast Guard

Hellenic Coast Guard
Coat of Arms of the Hellenic Coast Guard
Active 1919-present
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
Racing stripe
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 (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.[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-9OF-8OF-7OF-6OF-5OF-4OF-3OF-2OF-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)
NCO Rank Structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard
OR-9OR-8OR-7OR-6OR-5OR-4OR-3OR-2OR-1
Ανθυπασπιστής
Anthipaspistis
(Fleet Chief Petty Officer)		 Αρχικελευστής
Archikelefstis (Chief Petty Officer)		 Επικελευστής
Epikelefstis (Petty Officer)		 Κελευστής
Kelefstis
(Leading seaman)		 Λιμενοφύλακας
Limenofylakas
(Seaman)

Fleet

Offshore Patrol Boat (OPV) type Sa'ar 4.
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.
Coastal patrol boat ΛΣ-608 LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I.
SAR-513, one of ten Arun 60 lifeboats operated by the Hellenic Coast Guard, at Zea marina coast guard station, Piraeus
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 4.5OPV58450 Israel /  Greece3[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 5509OPV58,5700 The Netherlands1Vessel 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 Mk1OPV47.3300 United Kingdom1Vessel 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 Delos (Δήλος)Patrol2986 Greece6Vessels 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)Patrol24.6 Croatia2Vessels ΛΣ-617 and ΛΣ-618 have been delivered. The remaining four (4) boats (type POB-24G) 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.
CB-90HCGCoastal Patrol / Combat15.920 Sweden3[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-74Coastal Patrol19.227 Greece3Vessels ΛΣ-192, ΛΣ-193 and ΛΣ-194
Speed of 50+ knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.ICoastal Patrol18.228 Greece19Vessels ΛΣ-137 to ΛΣ-151 and ΛΣ-169 to ΛΣ-172.
Speed of 44 knots.
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.IICoastal Patrol19.227 Greece16Vessels ΛΣ-601 to ΛΣ-616.
Speed of 50+ knots.
LCS-53 (Lambro-53 Guardian)Coastal Patrol16.821 Greece12Vessels ΛΣ-114 to ΛΣ-126.
Speed of 33 knots.
Olympic L65/74Coastal Patrol23 Greece4ΛΣ-102 series
Olympic L-44Coastal Patrol1425 Greece3ΛΣ-153 series
D-45Coastal Patrol13.925 Greece4
D-45MCoastal Patrol13.925 Greece5
Arun HalmaticLifeboat1637 United Kingdom1Vessel SAR-510
Lambro Halmatic 60Lifeboats1837 Greece10Vessels' series SAR-511 to SAR-520.
System 33/Nemesis RIB[10]RIB Coastal Patrol10.35 Greece10All vessels are donation by SNF having speed of 50+ knots.
MIL-38Coastal Patrol11.857 Greece2Vessels ΛΣ-129 and ΛΣ-130.
Speed of 50-55 knots.
MIL-40Coastal Patrol137 Greece2Vessels ΛΣ-132 and ΛΣ-133.
Speed of 50-55 knots.
Madera MRCD-1250RIB Special Forces12,5 The Netherlands2Military 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/IIRIB Coastal Patrol10,8 Greece2
Magna OndaCoastal Patrol11.75.4 Greece2
Super OndaCoastal Patrol8.62.8 Greece2
Magna 31RIB Coastal Patrol8.62.8 Greece3One (1) donated at 2014 by Dmitry Rybolovlev
Oceanic InterceptorRIB Coastal Patrol Greece?
Gibli-1025RIB Coastal Patrol10,25 Greece12
Oceanic 9000 StealthRIB Coastal Patrol92 Greece18
Mostro Top Gun 864/964RIB Coastal Patrol9.3/9.91.4/1.6 Greece19
Boston WhalerCoastal patrol, Diver support9 USA3ΛΣ-798, ... Donated by the USCG in 2004.[11]
Halter Marine HSBCoastal patrol, Diver support USA1... Donated by the USCG in 2004
WellcraftCoastal patrol, Diver support USA1... Donated by the USCG in 2004
LS-413 (LMPA)Pollution control29240 Spain3by Astilleros Gondan, Spain.[12][13]
PollcatPollution control18.5853

Aircraft fleet

Reims Cessna F-406 aircraft of the Hellenic Coast Guard
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, 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.

Aircraft ID Type Versions Origin In service[14] Notes
Eurocopter Super PumaSAR helicopterAS 332C France4[7]Operated by the Hellenic Air Force
Aérospatiale DauphinHC-31 to HC-36Patrol helicopterAS 365N3 France6[7]Based at Kotroni Naval Air Station (LGKN) in cooperation with Hellenic Navy
Cessna 406 Caravan IIAC-21 to AC-23Maritime patrolF406 France3[7]Built by Reims
Cessna 172 SkyhawkAC-1, AC-2Utility aircraft172RG USA2[7]
Socata TBAC-3, AC-4Utility aircraftTB 20 France2[7]

HCG facilities

Coast guard vehicle
  1. New headquarters and VTMIS operations centre: 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: 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

  1. ↑ "Photo of old Hellenic CG flag". Archived from the original on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Greece, Coast Radio Stations, Hellenic Coast Guard MRCC and MRSC" (PDF). The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ↑ Law 4029, Government Gazette A 245, 2011-11-22
  4. ↑ "Grade/rank insignia of the Hellenic CG (Ministry of Merchant Marine)". Archived from the original on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Ο Στόλος του Λιμενικού Σώματος /Ελληνικής Ακτοφυλακής το 2015". Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  6. ↑ http://www.yen.gr/wide/yen.chtm?prnbr=24177 Archived 2010-12-02 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 E. Pagotsis, ed. (May 2011). Ετήσια Ανασκόπηση Ισορροπία Δυνάμεων 2011-2012 (Annual Review Balance of Power 2011-2012. Athens, Greece: Dyros Ltd. p. 77.
  8. ↑ "Τελετή Απόδοσης σε Ενέργεια του Πλοίου Ανοιχτής Θαλάσσης Λιμενικού Σώματος (ΠΑΘ/ΛΣ)050". Retrieved December 2015. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ↑ "Greek coastguard orders six coastal patrol craft". janes.com. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "ELMON - DEFENCE SYSTEMS". www.elmon.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "We're sorry, that page can't be found". www.state.gov. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Antipollution vessel ALPHA" (PDF). Astilleros Gondan shipbuilders. 1994.
  13. ↑ "Astilleros Gondan Alfa". Astilleros Gondan shipbuilders. 2011.
  14. ↑ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
  • 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.
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