We are the Coastguard
The Coastguard is available 24/7 for assistance, crisis management, enforcement and maritime security on the North Sea. We coordinate these tasks from the Coastguard Centre in Den Helder. In our corporate video we show who we are, how we carry out our tasks and who we work with.
About the Coastguard
The Coastguard is available 24/7 for assistance, crisis management, enforcement and maritime security on the North Sea. We coordinate these tasks from the Coastguard Centre in Den Helder. In this corporate video we show how we do that and who we work with.
What we do?
The Coastguard is a very versatile organisation. We help people in distress. We protect nature and the environment through policing and monitoring. We carry out border controls on the North Sea. We put people requiring medical assistance through to the Radio Medical Service and we coordinate medical evacuations when needed. We work together with the Defence organisation in clearing explosives from the First and Second World War. We carry out all these tasks together with our partners. All these tasks are coordinated from the Coastguard Centre in Den Helder.
Unique
We are unique in the world. In other countries, the coastguard is often responsible for a single task, such as carrying out rescue operations, or border control. We carry out a great many tasks in the areas of service provision, policing and law enforcement. We don’t do this alone, we do it together with all our partners.
Objectives
We carry out our tasks on behalf of six ministries. Our main tasks are divided into service provision, enforcement and maritime security. The Coastguard has three main objectives:
- Responsible use of the North Sea.
- Safety at sea, both as regards service provision and enforcement.
- Ensuring the observance of national and international laws, regulations and obligations.
Development
The North Sea is becoming busier by the day: shipping traffic is increasing and new offshore wind parks are being built. EU border surveillance is being intensified and security is of ever increasing importance. The current resources of the Coastguard are outdated. A huge step in innovation is required. That is why our resources are being modernised, including the replacement of the sea and air units.
Maritime Operation Centre (MOC)
Buildings and ICT will also be replaced. The Coastguard’s current coordination and communication centre will become a modern operational centre. New ICT facilities will ensure more efficient communication with vessels and aircraft. With the new Maritime Operation Centre, our information position will improve and the Coastguard will have an even clearer picture of the North Sea.