Annual inspections of fishing boats are required only for fishing boats registered in the Ship Register of Maritime Administration of Latvia.
Annual inspections of fishing boats are carried out by the Maritime Safety Inspectorate of the Maritime Administration of Latvia.
The boat must be fully equipped as if ready to go to sea. Life-saving, fire-fighting and radio equipment must be on board.
Life-saving appliances must comply with the regulations on ship equipment, while radio and navigation equipment must be of a type approved by the Maritime Administration of Latvia.
During the inspection, inspectors ensures that the fishing boat complies with the requirements of Annex 9 “Safety Criteria for Sea Fishing Boats” to Cabinet Regulation No 248 of 28 March 2006 “Regulations on the Safety of Sea Fishing Vessels” and includes at least the following sections:
- assessment of the technical condition of the hull;
- an assessment of the technical condition of the propulsion plant;
- an assessment of the technical condition of the steering gear;
- inspection of electrical equipment;
- inspection of communication equipment;
- assessment of the adequacy of the equipment of the sea fishing boat.
Fishing boat owners can contact their local municipality to find out whether they organize unified fishing boat inspection campaigns in their municipality.
Inspections of sea fishing boats are a paid service.
No inspection report is issued for fishing boats. Information on the inspection carried out can be checked by the owner or the controlling authorities on the website of the Maritime Administration of Latvia by selecting the tool “Checking the validity of fishing boat certificates“.
Fishing boats may not be used for commercial purposes for the transport of people.
