The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard is the maritime branch of the

Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) is the armed forces of Antigua and Barbuda. The ABDF has responsibility for several different roles: internal security, prevention of drug smuggling, the protection and support of fishing rights, pre ...

. The purpose of the coast guard is to maintain the country's interests, and along with the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing, patrol the waters of the country. The Coast Guard is also responsible for search and rescue missions, oil pollution response, ship safety inspections, and broadcasting of maritime safety alerts.

History

The Coast Guard was originally founded as the Antigua and Barbuda Police Marine Unit, however, on 1 May 1995, it was absorbed into the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, and became known as the Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard.

Organisation

* Commanding Officer's Office * Engineer Unit * Administration Unit * Flotilla – the flotilla is the operational part of the Coast Guard, and consists of the following water-craft: ** 1 Swiftships Shipbuilders 19.81-metre Commercial Cruiser-class

patrol boat A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval ship, naval vessel generally designed for Coastal defence and fortification, coastal defence, Border control, border security, or law ...

(P-01 ''Liberta''), in service since 1984 ** 1 SeaArk Boats Dauntless-class patrol boat (P-02 ''Palmetto''), in service since 1995 ** 1

Point-class cutter The Point-class cutter was a class of 82-foot patrol vessels designed to replace the United States Coast Guard's aging 83-foot wooden hull patrol boat being used at the time. The boats had a mild steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. The C ...

( P-03 ''Hermitage''), transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1998 ** 1 Defender 380X-class all-weather interceptor (D-8), date of acquisition unknown ** 2

Boston Whaler Boston Whaler is an American boat manufacturer. It is a subsidiary of the Brunswick Boat Group, a division of the Brunswick Corporation. Boston Whalers were originally produced in Massachusetts, hence the name, but today are manufactured in Edg ...

8.23-metre launches (071 and 072), in service since 1988 ** 1 Zodiac Marine & Pool 8.23-metre Hurricane-type

rigid-hulled inflatable boat A rigid inflatable boat (RIB), also rigid-hull inflatable boat or rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), is a lightweight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a rigid hull (watercraft), hull bottom joined to side-forming a ...

in service since 1998

References

{{Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coat Guard Military units and formations established in 1995