Canadian Coast Guard

A variety of agencies have maintained aids to navigation and provided coastal rescue services since long before Confederation. The Canadian Coast Guard was established in 1962 to take over the functions of the former Marine Service of the Department of Transport. It operated as part of the Department of Transport until 1994 when it was transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. In 2005 the Canadian Coast Guard was designated as a “special operating agency” to give it greater autonomy under Fisheries and Oceans. Unlike the armed coast guards of some other nations such as the United States, the Canadian Coast Guard is a government marine organization without naval or law enforcement responsibilities. However, Coast Guard vessels can carry law enforcement personnel from other departments like the RCMP.