Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District continues RPAS missions on Eastern Gulf of Finland

Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District continues RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) flight missions on Eastern Gulf of Finland. The flights are operated from city of Kotka until early November. The Finnish Border Guard is using European Maritime Safety Agency’s (EMSA) RPAS services focusing mainly on maritime surveillance operations, which include for example maritime safety, search and rescue, anti-pollution activities and other coast guard functions in the maritime domain.

Cooperation between the EU Member States supported by EU Agencies is a vital part of the deployment. Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District has not forgotten inter-agency cooperation either. For example, fisheries control missions will be carried out together with fisheries inspectors from Centres of Economic Development, Transport and Environment (ELY Centres).

RPAS devices are useful tools for enhancing surveillance capability and other coast guard functions. However, The Finnish Border Guard won´t replace helicopters or fixed wing aircrafts by unmanned RPAS -equipment. RPAS services increase surveillance capabilities of The Finnish Border Guard.