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20th Anniversary of the National Coast Guard Service

Since independence, maritime surveillance and policing functions have received particular attention from public authorities. Indeed, Decree 63.403 of October 12, 1963, while expanding the extent of territorial waters from 3 to 12 miles, established the principle of control of any vessel navigating in this area in accordance with international practices. The powers exercised by Algeria over the maritime zones falling under its sovereignty were devolved to several administrations (maritime gendarmerie, customs, maritime registration, fisheries guards, etc.). This organization did not allow correct coverage of our maritime spaces. Our interests at sea in the areas of maritime security and fishing were not protected. It is from this observation that the National Coast Guard Service (SNGC) was created by Order 7312 of April 3, 1973. This creation responded to the following concerns of the public authorities: - saving of resources by their allocation to the simultaneous execution of several missions; - better coordination of actions at sea entrusted to a single authority; - integrated management of national defense problems; - protection of the economy and security of the maritime territory. The missions of the National Coast Guard Service are provided for by its creation order and by numerous legislative texts published after its creation in 1973. These are the Maritime Code (1976), the Fisheries Code (1976), the Customs Code (1979), as well as the law on environmental protection (1983). At the same time, Algeria has ratified numerous international conventions of a maritime nature, the application of which is largely entrusted to the SNGC. The National Coast Guard Service therefore carries out complex and diversified missions at sea. In this context and in matters of general policing, the coast guards are responsible for investigating and reporting crimes and offenses committed on board ships. In the field of special polices, the SNGC is responsible for ensuring compliance and application of regulations relating to customs, fishing, maritime navigation, submarine marking and cables, surveillance of territorial waters as well as protection of the maritime public domain. The SNGC is also responsible for the rescue at sea of ​​ships in distress, as well as nautical investigations. It also participates in activities and exercises of a military nature which take place with the naval forces of which it is a component. Equipped with appropriate human and material resources, the National Coast Guard Service is organized to ensure complete coverage of our national maritime space. It has a maritime station equipped with surveillance and intervention means in each Algerian port. Reporting to maritime districts, these maritime stations are located respectively in Algiers, Oran and Annaba. At the national level, the SNGC has a central administration whose headquarters is the Admiralty in Algiers.