Armed forces will coordinate rescue operations
On the 1st of January 2009 the amendments of the Law on Maritime Safety of the Republic of Lithuania will enter into force, therefore the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center will be transferred to the Naval Force of Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Consequently the function of search and rescue of people in the sea area of the zone of responsibility of the Republic of Lithuania will pass to other institutions: armed forces will organize, coordinate and execute activities of searching and rescuing people, also authorized institutions of Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania will execute these activities in the Curonian Lagoon, administrations of sea ports – in the sea port water area.
According to the amendments of the Law on Maritime Safety, starting from the 1st of January 2009 the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration (LMSA) will not be responsible for organization of operations in cases of spillage of oil and other noxious and dangerous substances in the sea area of the zone of responsibility of the Republic of Lithuania. Nevertheless, LMSA will carry on control of local plans of combating pollution accidents and control how seaports administrations and vessels’ crew arrange clearance of garbage and cargo residues from vessels.