History
Guarding the nation’s coasts to track down and prevent crimes, such as smuggling, is an old tradition. Over 350 years ago Sweden had a form of coast guard called strandridarna, or beach riders. Over the centuries the organization has developed to become a modern government agency with many more assignments and over 700 employees.
From ’beach riders’...
In 1638 the SCG consisted of two men, known as the beach riders. They were stationed in Kalmar and their task was to prevent smuggling and wrecking. They came under the Swedish Customs and the 250 kilometer patrol along the coast was on foot or horseback. This was the coast guard’s primary method of patrolling right up until the beginning of the second world war, i.e. for more than 300 years.
Smuggling along the coast decreased during the war and the coast guard’s were given new tasks, such as supervising sea traffic, visiting and searching vessels, passport control and sealing radio transmitters. After the war responsibilities extended to include game supervision, sea rescue, fishing inspection and enforcing safety regulations on vessels.
In 1971 the government gave the SCG the responsibility for fighting oil pollution at sea. In 1974 the area of responsibility was extended to include chemical spillage and in 1978 they were also given responsibility for sea fishing. In 1982 the SCG were given police authority at sea and on the two major inland lakes Vänern and Mälaren.
… to today’s coast guard
In1988 the SCG became an independent authority. The government’s intention was to develop maritime civil administration and to increase cooperation between the various authorities with maritime responsibilities.
Today the SCG is a government agency that guards, rescues and assists at sea, and works closely with the Police, Customs and Excise, the Board of Fisheries, the Maritime Administration and other authorities.
With EU expanding and maritime traffic increasing come new challenges for the staff of the SCG. Tomorrow’s c guards will meet a multicultural community and work for marine environment and maritime safety will demand more and more international efforts.