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Coast guards vary in nature from military to civilian volunteer agencies. They perform duties related to navigation, homeland security, and ocean safety. The modern coast guard originated from civic groups in the 1800s. Government coast guards are a cross between military and law enforcement agencies, while civilian organizations focus on search and rescue, maritime research, and public safety. Military coast guardsmen receive the same pay and benefits as other military branches and can be deployed to other locations.
The function of a coast guard varies according to the nation in which it is located. Nearly every nation that has a shoreline has this type of organization, but its nature can range from a branch of the military to a civilian volunteer agency. Coast Guard members, known as “Coasties” in some regions, may perform a variety of duties related to navigation, homeland security, and ocean safety. They are usually based in ports and can maintain fleets of trucks, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and other support vehicles in addition to boats.
The origins of the modern coast guard date back to the 1800s, when several communities founded civic groups to help ships in distress. These groups would send rescue and salvage operations as needed, and many of them supported organized government efforts to create navigational markers such as buoys and lighthouses. The improvements in maritime safety created by such groups have spurred the organization of more formal coastguards.
When a Coast Guard is organized by the government, it is usually a cross between the military and law enforcement agencies. Members are responsible for coastal protection, enforcement of immigration and drug laws, and monitoring vessels for safety issues. Members are also required to service vessels upon request. Maintaining navigation markers and warnings is also generally the responsibility of this organization.
Civilian organizations tend to focus on things like search and rescue, maritime research, assisting ships in distress, and public safety. The Military Coast Guard also performs these tasks. Civilians are generally not allowed to be involved in law enforcement, although they may report concerns that appear to be national security related to government officials. A civilian group can be a privately funded agency with paid employees or a force of volunteers. Rural and isolated regions may rely on volunteers because the population cannot support a full-time coast guard.
In the case of Coast Guardsmen associated with the military, members are treated as active duty members of the military, which entitles them to the same pay and benefits as members of other military branches receive. Guardsmen are typically kept posted to their home nations for security purposes, but can potentially be deployed to other locations and can be loaned out to law enforcement and allied nations to assist in projects such as apprehending drug traffickers o Improving border security programmes.
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