The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)is an executive agency of the United Kingdom that is responsible for implementing British and international maritime law and safety policy.
It works to prevent the loss of lives at sea and to prevent marine pollution. It is a subsidiary executive agency of the UK Department for Transport and responsible through the Secretary of State for Transport to Parliament.
It is also responsible for land based search and rescue helicopter operations since 2015. Its motto is "Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas". The organisation is currently led by Virginia McVea.
