Assistance and service provision
The Coastguard helps people, animals, vessels and aircraft in distress, on the North Sea and on the vast inland waterways. We take action in the event of disasters and incidents. And we contribute to a safe and smooth passage of shipping traffic on the North Sea.
Assistance
The Coastguard is available for assistance 24/7, for example for search and rescue and for help to vessels in distress.
Area of responsibility for search and rescue operations
The Coastguard is responsible for search and rescue operations in the Dutch sections of the North Sea and Wadden Sea, on the IJsselmeer (including the border lakes), and on the rivers in the provinces of South Holland (Hollandsch Diep, Haringvliet) and Zeeland (Veerse Meer, Grevelingenmeer, Volkerak, Oosterschelde and Westerschelde). The Dutch section of the North Sea is also referred to as the Dutch continental shelf or the Dutch exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Missing aircraft
Within the Amsterdam flight information region (FIR), we are also responsible for tracking down missing aircraft and helicopters, whether over water or over land. The Amsterdam FIR extends over Dutch territory and a large section of the North Sea.
Tasks
Search and rescue (SAR) operations
Disaster and incident response
Explosive ordnance disposal
Nautical management
Radio medical service (Radio Medische Dienst, RMD)
Buoying
