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, pr ...

. The purpose of the coast guard is to maintain the countries interests, and along with the

Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing The Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Air Wing was founded on 12 April 2022, and currently has a fleet of 1 aircraft, a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a British light utility aircraft and regional airliner des ...

, patrol the waters of the country. The Coast Guard has additional responsibilities, including search and rescue,

oil pollution An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually given to marine oil spills, where oil is released into t ...

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.{{Cite journal , title=Table 5.1. Antigua and Barbuda / Antigua y Barbuda , url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/888934235487 , access-date=2022-12-10 , website=dx.doi.org, doi=10.1787/888934235487

References

Coat Guard Military units and formations established in 1995