(1) This Act may be called the Coast Guard Act, 1978.

(2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.1 19th August, 1978, vide notification No. S.R.O. 10(E), dated 18th August, 1978, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 4.