## Overview The Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG), known in Greek as *Λιμενικό Σώμα–Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή*, is Greece’s premier maritime law enforcement agency, responsible for enforcing Greek, European, and international law across the country’s extensive maritime zones[2]. Its core functions include maritime safety, search and rescue (SAR), pollution prevention, fishery protection, and combating smuggling and other maritime crimes[6]. The HCG is also integral to safeguarding Greece’s borders and supporting the country’s vibrant shipping industry, one of the largest in the world. ## History Established in 1919 as the “Harbour Corps” (*Limeniko Soma*) under Law 1753/1919, the HCG initially drew its first 60 officers from the Hellenic Navy, specializing in merchant marine affairs[1]. The agency played a strategic role during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) and was heavily mobilized in World War II, providing logistical support to the Greek armed forces[1]. A pivotal moment came in 1944 with the creation of an independent Merchant Marine Ministry staffed entirely by HCG personnel, which spearheaded the reconstruction of Greece’s merchant fleet post-war, laying the foundation for the country’s shipping-led economic boom in the 1950s and 1960s[1]. The establishment of the Greek Maritime Search and Rescue Centre in Piraeus (1968), later upgraded to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (1989), and the launch of the Air Means Unit (1981) marked significant advancements in the HCG’s operational capabilities[1]. ## Key Achievements The HCG has been instrumental in transforming Greece into a global shipping powerhouse, ensuring the safe and legal operation of one of the world’s largest merchant fleets[1]. Its SAR operations have saved countless lives in the treacherous waters of the Aegean and