H.M. COASTGUARD celebrated its 1 50th anniversary on 15th January, having been formally established in 1822 as the 'Coast Guard' following the report of a 'committee appointed by His Royal Highness The Prince Regent to enquire into the existing regulations for the conduct of business in every department of the Customs'.

The main function of H.M. Coastguard is now life saving and the co-ordination of search and rescue at sea but it was originally formed to put down the extensive smuggling activities around the coast. At that time it was estimated that 50% of the spirits consumed in the country had been smuggled in free of duty. The smugglers were numerous, well armed and had the support of the local population. They more than held their own against the young Coastguard service in the early days but the force expanded and became more expert. Smuggling on a large scale was not of course stamped out until the policy of her trade made it much less lucrative.

In 1856 the Coastguard service was transferred from the Board of Customs to the Admiralty and its duties were defined as the defence of the coasts of the realm, the more ready manning of Her Majesty's Navy in case of war or in emergency, and the protection of the revenue.

The Admiralty had thus earmarked the Coastguard as a suitable reserve in time of war and 3,000 Coastguards served in the Royal Navy during the Crimean War. In 1914 most of the Coastguards were sent to sea in ships of the Royal Navy and the Army took over the job of guarding the coast.

In 1925 the Board of Trade took over responsibility for H.M. Coastguard and, for the firsttime, its duties were defined as 'coast-watching and life-saving'.

H.M. Coastguard is responsible for the coordination of all search and rescue operations around the coast. They may call upon their own helicopter at Mansion, R.N.L.I. life-boats, R.A.F. and R.N. aircraft and helicopters or passing shipping which can be alerted by broadcasts.

The coastguards have also extended their watch to fishing vessels in Icelandic waters. An intensive watch is kept at Gorleston Coastguard station on trawlers off Iceland, a plot of their movements being kept in conjunction with the Miranda, a specially equipped support ship with a Coastguard inspector in command which is stationed in those waters during the winter months.

Coastguards also maintain radar surveillance of shipping from the Dover Strait Coastguard station at St Margaret's, Kent, in connection with the Dover Strait separation scheme. Other duties include patrolling the coastline to guard wrecked property, the supervison of the foreshore to prevent encroachment and to stop the illegal removal of sand and shingle and the plotting of oil slicks.

The Under Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Anthony Grant, stated in the House of Commons on 1st December last year: 'The R.N.L.I. with its life-boats and inshore rescue boats and, indeed, all other organisations including ships at sea which play a very important part in this emergency activity, are all involved in the vital and often hazardous work of sea rescue. They work under the general coordination of the Coastguard, which is the responsibility of my Department.

'It is all too rarely understood by the public that they do not need to go to the sea in ships, get into trouble and then invoke the help of the coastguards or the R.N.L.I. All they have to do is to pick up a telephone, make a call and they can get advice about conditions. This is one aspect of the work of the coastguards.

'The coastguards do a remarkable job of coordinating the various services, such as the R.N.L.I. and those of the R.A.F., but nothing is so perfect that it cannot be improved, and it is in that context that the government are prepared to look carefully for a properly based organisation to deal with all aspects of rescue be it inland or at sea. This may well take time, as such considerations involve a considerable study. We shall be prepared to consider any suggestions and recommendations that are made. . . .'.