The coast guard keeps an eye on the sea

Coast guard

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  • 08.10.26
    European Coast Guard Functions Forum – Plenary Conference 2026
    Nathalie Balcaen on the panel during the ECGFF plenary session

    During the plenary conference of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum, the Italian Coast Guard pulled out all the stops one last time for the closing event of its two-year chairmanship.

  • 16.09.26
    Waves of change 2026
    speakers at the ‘Waves of Change’ event

    For the second time, the agency for maritime and coastal services joined forces with De Blauwe Cluster, the network of maritime companies in Belgium, to bring together various organisations from the maritime sector for Waves of Change. Held at the Herman Teirlinck Building in Brussels, the event focused entirely on diversity and inclusion. As in the previous edition, the Lighthouse Award (Vuurtoren Award) was also presented.

  • 14.09.26
    Coast Guard partners attend ‘Crisis Management in Paragon’ training
    Coast guard partners learning to manage crisis with the paragontool, several coworkers around the table in a classroom

    Several Coast Guard partners took part in the ‘Crisis Management in Paragon’ training. Staff members from various disciplines attended to refresh their knowledge and further strengthen their skills. Regular basic training remains important to ensure continued familiarity with the system’s procedures and capabilities.

  • 10.09.26
    Large-scale exercise above the Belgian North Sea
    Search en rescue exercise in the framework of the MMO, 2 vessels at sea

    As part of the Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO), the European-supported cooperation between the Coast Guards of Belgium, France and the Netherlands, a large-scale maritime rescue exercise was organised on Thursday, 10 September in Belgian airspace above the North Sea.

  • 08.09.26
    Coast Guard partners strengthen their communication network
    Werkgroep communicatie Kustwacht

    On Tuesday, 8 September, the very first Coast Guard Day was held for communication officers from the various Coast Guard partner organisations. It provided an excellent opportunity to get to know one another better, exchange experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of how the Belgian Coast Guard operates.

  • 07.07.26
    Seacoast 2026
    Beach lifeguards with a rescue manikin and maritime assets in the background during the Seacoast Exercise 2026.

    The exercise forms part of the Agreement on Rescue Operations along the Belgian Coast and aims to test the alerting procedures of the emergency services as well as cooperation between the different response agencies operating on land, at sea and in the air.

  • 24.06.26
    European Coast Guard cooperation in action | Strengthening Maritime Security Across Europe van de maritieme veiligheid in heel Europa

    Coast guard authorities working hard together, side by side to protect our seas.

  • 22.06.26
    Traffic Operation in the Port of Zeebrugge: Strong Cooperation Between Services
    View of the parking area where vehicles undergo inspection.

    The Coast Guard attended as an observer, gaining valuable insight into the operational approach and cooperation between the various partners active in the port area. Such insights contribute to enhanced coordination and cooperation in maritime and port-related security operations.

  • 17.06.26
    Large-scale oil spill response exercise off the coast of Zeebrugge
    Current Buster with vessel for oil spill response exercise © FPS Public Health

    On Wednesday 17 June, a large oil spill response exercise took place off the coast of Zeebrugge, in the presence of the Minister for the North Sea, Annelies Verlinden. The exercise tested how Belgium and its partners respond to a major oil pollution incident at sea. 

  • 20.05.26
    Smart Eye Above the North Sea: European Coast Guard Drone Deployed from Lombardsijde
    Schiebel drone and operator only visible from the back

    For the first time, a drone carrying out surveillance operations above the North Sea is operating from Belgium. The drone is being made available to the Belgian Coast Guard for the third consecutive year in the framework of the Multipurpose Maritime Operation (MMO).