A coastguard is the coordinating authority for search and rescue – essentially, it organises all maritime rescues. 

The coastguard is the tasking authority whose main role is to coordinate maritime search and rescue operations within the area where it is responsible, at sea and on the coast.

This is done by salaried teams working at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) who take emergency calls and, if required, allocate resources to respond.

They are the planners who take the lead in organising responses within the country's search and rescue region.