Organisation

The Netherlands Coastguard is an independent civil organization with own tasks, reponsibilities and competences. The Coastguard carries out tasks on the North Sea for seven ministeries: Transport and Public Works, Defence, Justice, Finance, Agriculture Nature & Food Quality, Economic Affairs and Home Affairs.

The Netherlands Coastguard is responsible for fourteen operational tasks on the North Sea. The operational command has been assigned to the Royal Netherlands Navy. To carry out these tasks the Governmental Shipping Company and some participating departments have placed nautical and aeronautical assets at the disposal of the Netherlands Coastguard.
The Coastguard Centre in Den Helder is manned 24 hours a day and functions as a central reporting-, information and co-ordination centre and is also the National Maritime and Aeronautical Rescue Centre (Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC)).