This illustration of a coastguard dates from c1890
As their name suggests, coastguards have long existed to manage the safety of Britain's shores. Before the formal establishment of His Majesty's Coastguard in 1822, this role had been carried out by various other services that had overlapping functions. They included the Preventive Service (or Water Guard), Riding Officers (Land Guard), Revenue Cruisers, and elements of the Royal Navy. These earlier services were primarily concerned with the control of smuggling and ensuring that customs dues were paid, but they
