Department of Maritime Affairs

Role

The Department of Maritime Affairs has the following responsibilities: 

Vessels sailing under the Monegasque flag:

• Registration of vessels and removal from the register
• Issue of shipping licences
• Ship mortgage registration
• Implementation of rules on the status of the vessel
• Collection of the relevant duties and taxes

 Shipping safety: 

• Maritime pilots
• Safety inspections on board vessels
• Maritime buoys, markers and beacons
• Nautical information
• Shipping rules
• Recording offences against laws and regulations

 Seafarers:

• Issue of seafarer licences
• Embarkation of crews and checks of their professional aptitude
• Issuing crew lists
• Implementation of rules on the status of the seafarers

 Combating pollution:

• Combating all forms of pollution in maritime areas
• Maintenance of pollution prevention equipment
• Training
• Participation in national and international exercises (RAMOGEPOL and REMPEC)

International relations:

• Relations with international maritime Organisations (IMO, IOPC, IHO, IMSO) and interregional Organisations (REMPEC, RAMOGE, ACCOBAMS, PELAGOS)
• The organising of official visits of foreign State vessels

Areas under the Department's responsibility:

• Managing the refit area and the technical area of Fontvieille
• Upkeep of the Larvotto’s maritime property:
  • Installation and removal of cofferdams in the event of heavy swell
  • Installation of fencing
  • Levelling of the beach
  • Management of the jellyfish net

 Port activity

• Interface between the Government and the port operator (SEPM)
• Government’s representative within the Monaco Port Authority (SEPM)
• Monitoring of port activity
• Authorisation of nautical events and involvement in ensuring safety for some events
• Coordination of Government services
• Monitoring of maritime construction and port development works

Maritime regulations

• Secretariat of the Council of the Sea
• Drafting of maritime legislation
• Nautical information and advice to seafarers
• Authorisation to occupy the slipway

Ship safety inspections

• Checking that ships are compliant with maritime safety standards
• Inspections of newly launched pleasure craft and working vessels
• Annual inspections of working vessels

Trips out to sea

• Of a scientific nature: with the Department of the Environment, the Oceanographic Museum, laboratories, universities, etc.
• Film shooting
• Various studies

Official Directory

Legal Reference

Sovereign Ordinance no. 13.457 of 29 May 1998 codifying the provisions pertaining to the implementation of the act no. 1.198 of 27 march 1998