What is a Coast Guard?: Developing a Nomenclature Model for Coast Guard

Abstract

Coast Guards or Coastguards (CG) have played a vital role in the maritime security systems of nations. The diversified utility of CGs by nations and the lack of an internationally accepted nomenclature for agencies bearing the name CG have given rise to complex issues related to these agencies. In this study, the rationales for developing a CG nomenclature model include enhancing maritime security cooperation, distinguishing CGs from naval classifications, fostering CG norms, and identifying the role of a CG in an armed conflict. To achieve this goal, the study performed a qualitative analysis of 15 CG agencies. Findings from the analysis revealed that key elements of the CG roles are civil maritime emergency response (MER) and maritime law enforcement (MLE). Based on the findings, a CG was defined as a maritime organization, assigned with the primary authority to undertake constabulary and emergency response operations within the maritime jurisdiction of a state. From this, the modeling process devised a CG hierarchical taxonomy to military CGs (Gray model), civil-constabulary CGs (Blue model), and civil emergency response CGs (White model). The study achieved its objective of developing a practical CG nomenclature, which also fulfills the rationale behind developing a CG classification.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1185049

Entities

People

  • Ahmed M. Mohamed

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Covid-19
  • Geography
  • Health Services
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Marine Transportation
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Naval Warfare
  • Organizational Structure
  • Terrain
  • Topography
  • Treaties
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Security/Maritime Homeland Security
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design