MaritimeNews

New guide on European cooperation on coast guard functions

The European Commission adopted a ‘Practical Handbook’ on European cooperation on coast guard functions, a guide to facilitate the cooperation of EU civilian and military authorities in their work related to increasing the safety and security at sea.

The document was developed by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in close cooperation with EU Member States, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States and with the support of the European Commission. All three agencies are involved in European cooperation on coast guard functions, which includes such tasks as search and rescue, border control, fisheries control, customs activities, law enforcement, maritime safety and environmental protection.

The guide includes information on services and information provided by the three agencies, cooperation frameworks, best practice guidelines, as well as country factsheets with details on the structure and organisation of coast guard functions in EU countries and EFTA States.

An online platform will be launched by EFCA, in close cooperation with EMSA, Frontex, the European Commission and input from national authorities.

Thanks to this new handbook, Member States and EU agencies will be able to better coordinate their efforts in making the seas around Europe safer. More information here.