Legislature Passes Amendment to Coast Guard Administration Act, Increasing Deputy Directors to Three

Central News Agency, Taipei, June 2. The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of amendments to Articles 3 and 11 of the Ocean Affairs Council Coast Guard Administration Organization Act today. The amendment increases the number of deputy directors from two to three, aiming to strengthen leadership, protect national maritime rights, and promote sustainable development. Under the current law, the Coast Guard has one Director-General and two Deputy Directors. The joint committee of the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee and the Internal Administration Committee reviewed proposals from the Executive Yuan and lawmakers on April 22, reaching a consensus to increase the deputy director count. The Ocean Affairs Council noted in a report that the situation in waters surrounding Taiwan is becoming increasingly complex. The Coast Guard is tasked with national security, public order, and safety. It must monitor Chinese official and militia vessels, prevent gray-zone activities, and coordinate with the military on tactical exercises. The addition of a third deputy director is intended to help manage these diverse challenges, including the integration of technology and smart decision-making to build a professional 'sea-air integrated' force.