Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard

Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard
Active	1685 AN–present
Country	Meckelnburgh
Type	Coast guard
Size	5,904 active —2,781 regular personnel —3,123 conscripts 132 civilians 1,460 auxiliarists
Website	saeweard.mil.mb

The Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard (RMBS) is one of the nine uniformed services of the Kingdom of Meckelnburgh and the national coast guard and maritime security organization. The service is simultaneously a military branch, a seaborne gendarmerie, harbor customs, and the search and rescue agency of Meckelnburgh. As a multi-mission organization, the Saeweard is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of maritime shipping in Meckelnburgh and protecting the sovereignty of Meckelnburgh waters.

Missions

A Saeweard rescue swimmer carries a survivor.

Maritime sovereignty

The Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard is responsible to uphold Meckelnburgh's sovereignty over its territorial waters. The Saeweard diligently monitors and patrols these waters to deter unauthorized incursions and enforce national maritime boundaries. Its presence acts as a deterrent against potential threats to Meckelnburgh's maritime interests, contributing to the maintenance of regional security.

Safety and rescue at sea

Read also: North-Central Apollonian Ice Patrol

The Saeweard operates a professionalized search and rescue agency, responding to distress calls and emergencies across the coasts, straits and inner waters of the Kingdom, such as the Crowsilver Sea. Equipped with specialized vessels, equipment and uniquely trained personnel, the service conducts operations aimed at saving lives and mitigating maritime accidents, enhancing safety for seafarers and travelers in Meckelnburgh waters. The service is also responsible for managing safety of vessels through the Northern Sea. The Saeweard funds a ice patrol over the region and operates Meckelnburgh's icebreakers both on the ocean and in port.

Harbor customs

The Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard functions as a harbor customs authority, contrasting with The Meckelnburgh Douanes, the customs authority for land and air. The Saeweard plays a vital role in ensuring the adherence to customs regulations within Meckelnburgh's ports and waters. It monitors maritime activities, oversees cargo inspections, and enforces compliance, contributing to the integrity of the Kingdom's trade and customs laws.

Maritime law enforcement

The Saeweard operates as a seaborne gendarmerie, holding jurisdiction over various maritime law enforcement functions. This includes maintaining order, enforcing criminal laws on the seas and ensuring compliance with all the Kingdom's vessel safety and environmental protection regulations. The Saeweard has plenary legal authority to board any vessel underway to ensure it is being lawfully crewed and operated. All servicemembers are trained in law enforcement techniques, and all members of the Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard of rank petty officer or above have full powers of arrest.

Units and facilities

Auxiliary

The Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard also has a responsibility to ensure recreational and other boats not-for-hire live up to safety regulations. The Auxiliary is an adjunct unit of the Saeweard that consists of volunteers who promote the missions of the Saeweard, especially boating safety on the inland waters of Meckelnburgh. These Auxiliarists primarily conduct boat inspections and education courses on the lakes and rivers of the Kingdom. As well, some Auxiliarists are trained in search and rescue, and three motor lifeboat stations are staffed entirely by volunteers. The Auxiliary is uniformed with modified insignia from the regular Saeweard.

Equipment

Berthier-class (WC)

51-foot lifeboat

Polar Star-class (WAGBH)

Vessels

Pursuant to An Act to develop a new integrated Deepwater Navy (1723 AN), equipment designated as "combat" was removed from Saeweard vessels and aircraft. Remaining arms are considered "law enforcement" grade, but some still include vessel-mounted canons and personal arms necessary to provide self-defense and ensure policing compliance.

Class	Type	No.	Origin	Displ.	Speed	Comp.	Notes	Introduced
Coast guard cutters
Berthier-class	Medium maritime security cutter	10	Alduria-Wechua	4,140 t	25 kn	126	Helideck with hanger 57 mm naval gun	1699 AN
Murat-class	Fast-response cutter	4 (1)	Alduria-Wechua	359 t	28 kn	24	Boat launching ramp	1699 AN
Coast guard boats
Charles John-class	Patrol boat, rescue	20	Meckelnburgh	92 t	25 kn	24	Boat launching ramp	1725 AN
51-foot lifeboat	Lifeboat	45	Meckelnburgh	32 t	11 kn	5		1685 AN
CB-144	Rigid inflatable boat	29	Meckelnburgh	2.7 t	40 kn	5		1700 AN
Icebreakers
Ice Queen-class	Icebreaker, helicopter, nuclear	1	Alduria-Wechua	25,540 t	22 kn	75	Helideck with hanger	1698 AN
Polar Star-class	Icebreaker, helicopter	1	Alduria-Wechua	11,037 t	18 kn	154	Helideck with hanger	1698 AN
Snow Miser-class	Icebreaker	3	Meckelnburgh	3,809 t	16 kn	23	Helideck with hanger Barge launch ramp	1685 AN
Tugs
Saugerties-class	Tug, icebreaker	8	Meckelnburgh	662 t	11 kn	17		1685 AN

Aircraft

Brightworks RH-76 Dromosker

Type	Role	No.	Origin	Weight	Speed	Aircrew	Notes	Introduced
Fixed-wing aircraft
Mistra CF-356 Mercury	Maritime surveillance, search and rescue	7	Sanama	9,800 kg	243 kn	2	Deployable sonobuoys	1724 AN
NVF P-228 Fairwinds	Maritime surveillance	5	Meckelnburgh	3,900 kg	223 kn	2		1685 AN
Rotary aircraft
Brightworks NH-76 Dromosker	Maritime multi-purpose	19	Sanama	6,400 kg	155 kn	2	Assigned to heli- equipped cutters	1724 AN
Brightworks RH-76 Dromosker	Maritime search and rescue	14	Sanama	6,400 kg	155 kn	2		1723 AN

Retired classes

Class	Type	No.	Origin	Displ.	Speed	Comp.	Notes	In service
Coast guard cutters (WC)
Napoleon-class	Large maritime security cutter	(1)	Alduria-Wechua	4,600 t	28 kn	113	Helideck with hanger 57 mm naval gun	1699 AN–1722 AN

Insignia

	Special		General-grade			Field-grade			Company-grade
	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4		OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Royal Meckelnburgh Saeweard
	Admiral	Lieutenant-Admiral	Vice Admiral	Counter Admiral	Commodore	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant-Commander	First Lieutenant	Second Lieutnenat	Master	Ensign