Hellenic Coast Guard

The Hellenic Coast Guard (Greek: Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή, romanized: Limeniko 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]

Harbor Corps-Hellenic Coast Guard Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή Limeniko Soma-Elliniki Aktofylaki
Hellenic Coast Guard badge
Racing stripe
Flag
Abbreviation	HCG
Agency overview
Formed	1919
Employees	8,000
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Greece
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	Christos Stylianides, Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy
Agency executives	Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis, Commandant Vice Admiral Alexandros Tselikis, First Deputy Commandant Vice Admiral Aristeidis Pantazoglou, Second Deputy Commandant
Parent agency	Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy
Facilities
Boats	240 vessels
Fixed wing aircraft	Cessna 406 Caravan II Cessna 172 Skyhawk Socata TB
Helicopters	Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
Notables
Person	St. Nicholas, Patron
Website
www.hcg.gr
Colors : Cyan, White & Gold

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]

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:^[1][3]

• Ensuring public order, including general policing and traffic policing.
• Safeguarding of public and state security.
• Law enforcement at sea, ports and coastal areas.Maritime border control. Surveillance of the sea, shipping, ports and borders. Drug interdiction.
• Search and rescue (jointly with the Hellenic Air Force and Hellenic Navy).
• 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.^[5]
• Port operations (excluding port pilots service).
• Merchant Ships and Shipping Companies inspection.
• Representation of Greece in international organizations and the European Commission in matters related to these roles.

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).^[6] On land the Hellenic Coast Guard is equipped with 634 vehicles, including patrol vehicles, cars and motorcycles, buses and mini vans, trucks and tanker.^[7] The Coast Guard also operate seven airplanes and six helicopters.^[8]

Organization

Flag of the Hellenic Coast Guard flown in front of the Coast Guard offices in Rethymno Harbour.

The Hellenic Coast Guard is under the authority of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy,^[9] which is headed by a commandant and assisted by two deputy commandants who all have the rank of vice admiral (Antinavarchos). As of 2022^[update], Georgios Alexandrakis serves as Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard.^[10]

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). 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.

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 (Greek: Σχολή Λιμενoφυλάκων, romanized: Sxoli Limenofilakon) at Piraeus, for a duration of two years. With law Law 4029 of 2011, a volunteer Auxiliary Coast Guard was established.^[11] 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.^[12]

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
Hellenic Coast Guard[12] v t e
	None		Admiral Ναύαρχος Navarchos		Vice Admiral Αντιναύαρχος Antinavarchos		Rear Admiral Υποναύαρχος Yponavarchos		Commodore Αρχιπλοίαρχος Archiploiarchos		Captain Πλοίαρχος Ploiarchos		Commander Αντιπλοίαρχος Antiploiarchos		Lieutenant Commander Πλωτάρχης Plotarchis		Lieutenant Υποπλοίαρχος Ypoploiarchos		Sub-Lieutenant Ανθυποπλοίαρχος Anthypoploiarchos			Ensign 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[12] v t e
	Warrant Officer Ανθυπασπιστής Anthypaspistis						Master Chief Petty Officer Αρχικελευστής Archikelefstis		Chief Petty Officer Επικελευστής Epikelefstis		Petty Officer Κελευστής Kelefstis												Harbor-guard Λιμενοφύλακας Limenofylakas

Fleet

As of 2015, the structure of the Hellenic Coast Guard consists of a fleet of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) sized 45–60 metres in length and of 300-450 tons displacement, six to twelve Patrol boats with lengths of 25–30 meters, and more than fifty Coastal Patrol Vessels of various types with lengths of 14–20 meters.^[13][14] 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 240-250 vessels of all types.^[15][16] In August 2023, the Hellenic Coast Guard ordered 31 Munin S1200 patrol boats and three Metis high-speed RHIBs.^[17] Five Finnish-built fast patrol boats "Watercat 2000 Patrol" were ordered in early November 2023.^[18]

Model & Class	Photo	Type	Length (m)	Displacement (tonnes)	Origin	Year of Introduction	In service	Notes
Stan Patrol 5509 / Class Gavdos		OPV	58,5	565	The Netherlands	2015	1	Vessel ΛΣ-090, built by Damen shipyards; delivered October 2015 with more than 82,5% funding from EU's External Borders Fund; weapon systems of choice to be installed still unspecified Speed 27-30 knots
Sa'ar 4.5 / Class Fourni		OPV	58	400	Israel Greece	2003	3	Vessels ΛΣ-060, ΛΣ-070 built in Israel (2003) and ΛΣ-080 built in Greece (2004) are weapon-downsized/modified FACs - each with an OTO Breda 30mm/70 gun as main armament and two remote controlled .50" heavy machine guns without anti-ship missiles; acquired prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics Speed 34.5 knots[19]
Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 / Class Arkoi		OPV	47.3	300	United Kingdom	2002	1	Vessel ΛΣ-050 originally bought by Financial Crime Prosecution Authorities 1994; transferred to HCG 2002 - remained decommissioned due mechanical problems; significant maintenance and repairs 2014; entered active service following donations from "Aikaterini Laskaridi" Foundation[20] Can be armed with 40mm gun as main weapon system Speed 40 knots
Cantiere Navale Vittoria P355 GR / Class Marinos Zampatis		OPV	36.3	160	Italy	2020	4	Three ships ordered January 2019, with a plus one option - exercised July 2019 (90% EU funding); first two ships received December 2020; fourth January 2022; to replace the older Dilos (Abeking) class and to be fitted with 2x.50 LRCWS(Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations) Vessels ΛΣ-900, ΛΣ-910, ΛΣ-920, ΛΣ-930; speed 40 knots
Abeking & Rasmussen / Class Dilos (Δήλος)		Patrol	29	86	Greece	1977 - under decommissioning	6	Vessels ΛΣ-010, ΛΣ-015, ΛΣ-020, ΛΣ-025, ΛΣ-030, ΛΣ-040 by Marinos Zampatis class; design by Abeking & Rasmussen and built by ENAE shipyards Speed 27 knots
POB-24G / Class Faiakas (Φαίακας)[21]		Patrol	24.6	50	Croatia	2015	2	Vessels ΛΣ-617 and ΛΣ-618 delivered; remaining four boats (type POB-24G) initial order[22] to not be delivered following legal action of HCG against manufacturer; Vessel ΛΣ-618 equipped with an EMILY robotic SAR device; all boats have .50" heavy machine gun; speed 32 knots
Javelin-74		Coastal Patrol	19.2	27	Greece	2002	3	Vessels ΛΣ-192, ΛΣ-193, ΛΣ-194 Speed 50+ knots
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.II		Coastal Patrol	19.2	27	Greece	2002	16	Vessels ΛΣ-601 to ΛΣ-616 Built by Motomarine-Greece; speed 50+ knots
LCS-57 (Lambro-57) Mk.I		Coastal Patrol	18.2	28	Greece	1998	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	11	Vessels ΛΣ-114 to ΛΣ-126 Built by Motomarine-Greece; speed 33 knots
Fabio Buzzi Design 56SF		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	16,10		Italy		0/15	15 Fabio Buzzi 56F patrol boats ordered January 2020 - to be delivered by 2023;[23][24] speed 50+ knots
CB-90HCG		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	15.9	18.5	Sweden	1999	3	Combat boats by Dockstavarvet; armed with two twin remote-controlled .50" heavy machine guns with level IV armor plates Vessels ΛΣ-134 to ΛΣ-136; allocated to the HCG's Special Forces (Ionian Islands); speed 45 knots[19]
Olympic D65/74		Coastal Patrol	22.5	30	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	4	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	Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-45		Coastal Patrol	13.9	25	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	4	Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks
Olympic D-44		Coastal Patrol	13.4	25	Greece	1973 - under decommissioning	3	Unknown number of boats still in service for secondary tasks / ΛΣ-153 series
Wellcraft		Coastal Patrol / HCG Special Forces			USA	2004	1	Donated by USCG 2004; Vessel ΛΣ-797 allocated to HCG's Seals
Madera MRCD-1250		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 .50" gun and two 7.62mm machine guns; speed 49 knots
Fabio Buzzi MIL-40		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	12.2	7	Italy	1997	2	Vessels ΛΣ-132 and ΛΣ-133; Allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Ionian islands) Speed 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 52 knots
Halter Marine HSB		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	11.6		USA	2004	1	Donated by USCG 2004
Fabio Buzzi MIL-38		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	11.58	7	Italy	1997	2	Vessels ΛΣ-129 and ΛΣ-130 allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands) Speed 50-55 knots
Rafnar 1100		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	11,5	4	Greece Iceland	2020	10	Donation from 'Union of Greek Shipowners'; Icelandic design, built by RAFNAR Hellas under licence; Vessels ΛΣ-1054 to ΛΣ-1063; speed 50+ knots[25]
Naval Special Warfare (NSW)		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	11	7.9	USA	2022	2	Donated by US May 2022 - along with four more to Hellenic Navy; speed 45 knots
Magna 110 Hurricane Mk.I/II		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	10,8		Greece	2013	2	ΛΣ-1002, ΛΣ-1005
System 33/Nemesis RIB[26]		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces	10.35		Greece	2014	10	All vessels donated by SNF; speed 50+ knots
Oceanic Interceptor		Patrol RIB / HCG Special Forces			Greece	2004	?	Allocated to HCG's Seals
Super Onda		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	8.6	2.8	Greece	1987	2	Allocated to HCG's Special Forces (Aegean islands); speed 52 knots
Boston Whaler, Outrage-280		Patrol / HCG Special Forces	8.34	3	USA	2004	3	Allocated to HCG's Special Forces Piraeus; ΛΣ-798, ΛΣ-799 and ΛΣ-800; Donated by USCG 2004[27]
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	18	Vessels ΛΣ-3xx
Magna 31		Coastal Patrol RIB	8.6	2.8	Greece	2013	2	ΛΣ-1003, ΛΣ-1004
Viking Norsafe Munin S1200 Extended Cabin		Ambulance Vessel	12	7	Greece Norway	2020	7/15	Built by Viking Norsafe Hellas; Vessels ΛΣ-1064 to ΛΣ-1070 allocated to Greek islands; speed 40 knots
Lambro Halmatic 60		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;[28][29] Vessels ΛΣ-413 to ΛΣ-417
Pollcat		Pollution control	19	85	Denmark United Kingdom	1999	4	Built by Manor Marine, Portland;[30] designed by Desmi Denmark; Vessels ΛΣ-418 to ΛΣ-421
BSK Skipper 38 Patrol		Patrol Vessel	12		Greece	2024	1	Built by BSK Marine, Koropi, Attica[31]

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).

Aircraft	Photo	ID	Type	Versions	Origin	Year acquired	In service[32]	Notes
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 [8][19]
Cessna 406 Caravan II		AC-21 to AC-23	Maritime patrol	F406	France	2000	3	Built by Reims [8][19]
Socata TB		AC-3, AC-4	Utility aircraft	TB 20	France	1985	2	[8][19]
Cessna 172 Skyhawk		AC-1, AC-2	Utility aircraft	172RG	USA	1981	2	[8][19]
IAI Heron 1		UC-01	UAV	Heron 1	Israel	2022	1	[33]

HCG facilities

1. New headquarters and VTMIS operations centre (Pireaus): 37°56′33″N 23°37′35″E
2. Old headquarters and SAR coordination centre (Pireaus): 37°56′23.5″N 23°38′55″E
3. Mooring for Open Sea Patrol Vessels (Keratsini): 37°57′25.7″N 23°36′39.7″E
4. Coast Guard apron at Tatoi Air Base: 38°06′35.1″N 23°46′55.5″E
5. Aspropyrgos Maritime Communications Radio Station SXE: 38°02′12.5″N 23°35′7.5″E
6. Piraeus Central Port Authority: 37°56′23″N 23°38′24″E
7. Enlisted men training facility (Σχολή Λιμενοφυλάκων): 37°56′10.3″N 23°37′40.4″E
8. Piraeus VTMIS AIS receiver 002393200 37°56.369′N 023°38.381′E
9. Psyttaleia Island VTMIS AIS receiver 002391100 37°56.620′N 23°35.664′E
10. Patras VTS 38.24617°N 21.72886°E / 38.24617; 21.72886
11. Thessaloniki VTS 40.63802°N 22.92522°E / 40.63802; 22.92522
12. Corfu Island VTS 39.62708°N 19.90554°E / 39.62708; 19.90554
13. Igoumenitsa VTS 39.48799°N 20.25899°E / 39.48799; 20.25899
14. Lavrion VTS 37.71394°N 24.06252°E / 37.71394; 24.06252
15. Rafina Port 38°01.347′N 24°0.522′E