English
Pursuant to the Cabinet of Ministers regulations, winter navigation in all Latvian ports begins on December 15 and ends on April 15. The shipowners have a duty to prepare their ships for safe navigation in adverse weather temperatures during the period of winter navigation. Equipment for defrosting the hull shall be provided on board
The decision on the commencement of ice navigation in the Port of Riga and the Gulf of Riga, as well as on the necessity of icebreaker assistance shall be made by the Freeport of Riga Harbour Master, depending on the operational situation in the port and the Gulf of Riga. The icebreaker service in the Port of Riga is provided by a commercial company, but the Harbour Master is responsible for the operational management of the icebreakers.
During the ice navigation period, the icebreaker shall maintain radio communication on the VHF Channels 16 and 13, and also on the Channel 9 channel within the port water area.
The icebreaker service in the port of Riga is free of charge.
