Maritime accident investigation

Published: 21.06.2025.

Maritime transport accident investigation is one of the core areas of activity and essential functions of the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau.

The implementation of state administration functions in the field of maritime accident and incident investigation related to navigation safety is carried out by the Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation Division of the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, in accordance with Article 8.1 and Chapter V "Maritime Accidents and Maritime Incidents" of the Maritime Administration and Marine Safety Law, Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 561 of July 12, 2011 "Procedure for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Maritime Incidents", European Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2011 (December 9, 2011), establishing a common methodology for investigating maritime accidents and incidents as developed under Article 5(4) of Directive 2009/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Resolution MSC.255(84) adopted on May 16, 2008, by the Maritime Safety Committee, which includes the Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty Investigation Code), and other IMO (International Maritime Organization) documents related to the investigation of maritime accidents and incidents.

The Bureau investigates maritime accidents and incidents occurring in waters under Latvian jurisdiction, accidents involving ships flying the flag of the Republic of Latvia, regardless of their location, and cases where the Republic of Latvia is a substantially interested state.

According to international standards and Latvian national regulations, the specialists of the Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation Division:

Perform initial safety assessments of maritime accidents and incidents,
Conduct investigations separately and independently from law enforcement agencies, while coordinating activities with them and other institutions involved in the investigation based on inter-agency agreements,
Prepare investigation reports and develop safety recommendations to prevent future maritime accidents and incidents,
Report to the Minister of Transport on maritime accidents and incidents that occurred in the territory of Latvia, as well as those that occurred abroad involving ships flying the Latvian flag,
Inform the relevant maritime authorities of interested states, the European Commission (EC), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about maritime accidents and incidents involving Latvian-flagged vessels,
Analyze the causes of maritime accidents and incidents, systematize and store information on all incidents in Latvian jurisdictional waters, as well as those involving Latvian-registered ships or cases where Latvia is a significantly interested party,
Input data on reported maritime accidents and incidents into the European Maritime Casualty Investigation Platform (EMCIP) and the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

Final reports on maritime accident investigations can be viewed here: https://www.taiib.gov.lv/en/marine-investigation-reports

Recommendations developed by the Maritime Accident Investigation Division following accident investigations can be viewed here: https://www.taiib.gov.lv/en/media/723/download?attachment

The Maritime Accident Investigation Division is staffed by two competent and experienced professionals.

Aleksandrs Pavlovičs, the head of the Maritime Accident Investigation Division, has worked at the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau since 2011. He leads and organizes investigations of maritime accidents involving Latvian-flagged vessels and accidents within Latvian jurisdictional waters. Prior to joining the Bureau, A. Pavlovičs served in the Latvian Naval Forces for many years, including a period from 2004 to 2009 when he also fulfilled the duties of the Commander of the Naval Forces.

A. Pavlovičs holds a professional master’s degree in maritime transport (earned at the Latvian Maritime Academy) and has completed various specialized training courses including fire investigation, human factors in maritime safety, and an advanced maritime accident investigators course.

Signe Klusa, a maritime accident investigator, has worked at the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau since 2025. Before joining the Bureau, S. Klusa worked at the Ministry of Transport in the areas of maritime transport, logistics, and ports, in the Secretariat of the Latvian Ports, Transit and Logistics Council, as well as in a company specializing in seafarer recruitment for ship operators.

S. Klusa holds a bachelor’s degree in port management and administration and a master’s degree in maritime transport management from the Latvian Maritime Academy. In addition to studies in Latvia, she has gained international experience studying Nautical Studies at the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia) and continues further studies at EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency).