Maritime Administration of Latvia - The arm of the government.

The Maritime Administration of Latvia is the arm of the government, under the Ministry of Transport, which has the overall responsibility for overseeing maritime concerns. The Administration is comprised of the Hydrographic Service, the Sea Search and Rescue Service, the Latvian Ship Register, the Seamen’s Register, and the Ship Inspection Service.

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Mr Bruno Zeilins, director of the Maritime Administration of Latvia – Chief harbourmaster of Latvian ports.

The Maritime Administration is responsible for seeing that the terms of the relevant national laws and international conventions and treaties are complied with. Accordingly, the Administration:

carries out the functions of state control and supervision over shipping safety in the territorial waters of Latvia, including harbours
ensures efficient management of vessel traffic in the harbours and their approaches
registers ships, boats and yachts
supervises Latvian vessel and yachts not covered by international classification bureaus
is responsible for human safety in the Search and Rescue Region
organizes combating of oil pollution caused by accidents at sea
registers Latvian seamen
ensures shipping safety in Latvian waters by installing and maintaining buoys, lighthouses and other navigational aids on shore and in fairways
organizes printing and updating of charts and distributes copies of acts regulating navigation
carries out hydrographic surveys and research
collects navigational information which is then used to issue navigational warnings and Notices to Mariners
controls compliance of berth construction with shipping safety requirements; approves and accepts harbour construction projects for use
issues permits for salvaging sunken objects in Latvian waters and harbours.

Hydrographic Service

The Hydrographic Service is the Maritime Administration’s major department and consists of the Cartography and Hydrographic Services of the Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja Regions. The Hydrographic Service oversees the use and maintenance of navigational aids within Latvia’s territorial waters.

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Hydrographic plotter.

The Service carries out depth measurements in the ports and at sea,

prepares navigational charts including electronic ones, ensures the exchange of information with other countries in the region, regularly provides information on the latest amendments and changes by issuing Notices to Mariners twice a month.

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Search and rescue Service exercises.

Sea Search and Rescue Service

The basic tasks of the Sea Search and Rescue Service are: lifesaving at sea, MEDAVAC (medical evacuation), medical consultations and combating oil pollution. The Coordination Centre meets GMDSS demands which will go into effect on 1 February 1999. Two co-ordinators are on 24 hour duty at the Centre, thus providing any needed assistance (http://ssrs.mrcc.riga.lv).

Latvian Ship’s Register

The Latvian Ship Register registers vessels with a main engine power of more than 55 kW (75 HP) and all means of shipping without an engine and with gross displacement of more than 80, or if it is possible to calculate gross tonnage, then those displacing more than 80 tons of water, as well as passenger vessels irrespective of displacement and engine power.

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At the Seamen's Register office.

Seamen’s Register

The Seamen’s Register issues:

Endorsements of Certificates to shipping specialists
certificates and classification of certificates to seafarers in Latvian territorial waters
internationally approved Seamen’s Books of the Republic of Latvia.

An informative database has been developed covering the issued documents as well as the possibilities of taking part in seamen’s qualification courses.

Ship Inspection Service

The Ship Inspection Service carries out supervision of vessels flying the Latvian flag in conformity with Latvian legislation and international conventions, and issues relevant safety certificates to ships carrying the national flag.