The Norwegian Coast Guard, or Kystvakten in Norwegian, is a military force and part of the Royal Norwegian Navy, but has separate vessels, many of which are purpose-built. All coast guard vessels have the prefix KV. Four of these vessels are capable of embarking one or more helicopters. Norway's exclusive economic zone, the Coast Guard's area of responsibility, is about 2.2 million square kilometers, the largest in Western Europe. The Coast Guard was formed in 1977 when Norway established a 200 nautical mile economic exclusion zone. At the same time, the former fisheries surveillance was disbanded. The Coast Guard's missions include enforcing Norwegian sovereignty in Norwegian waters, fisheries protection, customs enforcement, environmental protection, search and rescue, assistance at sea, and controlling foreign shipping in Norwegian waters.
In 2005, the Coast Guard had a budget of NOK 800 million and 800 employees.
The flag of the Coast Guard is the international inspection pennant as ratified by the North Sea Fisheries Convention of 1882.
Read more about Norwegian Coast Guard: History, Active Coast Guard Vessels
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