Aids to Navigation Management and Policy (MFP) is the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s official department. The department takes care of the official tasks in the marine territory and is a consulting party for other official departments’ enquiries. It is also here that the creation of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s active maritime policy is realised, both nationally and internationally.

The Centre for Maritime Information (CFS) collects, analyses and manages the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s many types of data and products. Graphic management, including use of geographical information systems, is a large part of the centre’s work. The management of navigation information is based on the information channels that our users require, e.g. website, mobile solutions and printed material.

The Management Secretariat (DS) is a small unit that supports the directors and contributes to ensuring a high level of quality in the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s work. The DS ensures inter-departmental coordination, as well as collaborating with external partners. The DS also carries out assignments related to general strategic development, e.g. in relation to target and result management. The DS also takes care of strategic communications, to help the Danish Maritime Safety Administration achieve top results.

Hydrography and Maritime Data (HMD) is responsible for the coordinated handling of hydrographic, oceanographic and other maritime data. The department gathers, validates, quality-assures and stores data. This data provides measurements and forecasts to assist in navigation safety. The data is also used to work on navigation maps, research and development. The department contributes to coordinating national and international cooperation, data architecture and product development.

Aids to Navigation Operations (DB) is the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s largest department, spread across the country. The department takes care of the operation and maintenance of lighthouses and lifebuoys in the Danish, Greenland and Faroese waters, radio navigation, nautical surveillance and coastal rescue. The department is also involved in international cooperation with regard to buoying and radio navigation.

The Innovation and Project (IA) department supports the ongoing development of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s products and services. This is done through innovation, knowledge sharing, strategic analysis companies, globalisation and professional project management, as well as development of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s business-critical IT systems.

The Administration (PØS) department ensures that the Danish Maritime Safety Administration has the essential skills, employee resources, economy and service functions.

DanPilot is the state pilotage agency. The pilots help captains with navigation and make sure that ships sail safely, as a result of their knowledge of the Danish waters.

Maritime Management takes care of the official tasks in the maritime territory, such as buoying, wrecks, maritime surveys and AIS, as well as publishing nautical publications. The section is also a consulting party for other official departments’ enquiries on issues such as navigation territory, dredging of waterways, etc. They are also responsible for the production of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s nautical publications.

The Maritime Law and Policy department takes care of the creation of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s active policy for the maritime area, both nationally and internationally, to strengthen our position on the maritime market and our abilities for policy and political initiatives.

The Data section is the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s data centre and administrator. Hydrographic, oceanographic and other maritime data are gathered and quality-assured here. The data is stored in the country’s key databases, where they are available for Defence, other public authorities, the marine industry and for the rest of society.

The Forecasting section develops and implements oceanographic forecasts and other deliverables to assist navigation safety in the Danish waters. The forecasts contain water prediction, salinity, temperature, currents and waves in the Danish waters.

The Validation section validates and optimises methods for gathering hydrographic data in particular.

HMD functions as the Defence Centre of Operative Oceanography (FCOO). FCOO coordinates and develops data and products for Defence, to assist operations and exercise planning in Defence and Nato.

The Maritime Survey section collects hydrographic data (primarily depth data) in Danish and Greenland waters. The collected data is quality-assured and stored for the compilation of maritime maps, among other purposes. The maritime survey tasks are handled with specially equipped ships which, with their high-technology equipment, don’t just collect data on sea depth, but also on the nature of the seabed.

The Infrastructure section is responsible for the maintenance of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s collective buildings and grounds – such as the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s head office, “Søvæsthuset”, lighthouses (on land and at sea) and rescue stations. The section is also responsible for the maintenance of items like inspection vessels, rescue vessels and rescue vehicles, and plays an important role in the purchase of new items. The section also has primary responsibility for the operation of radio navigation in Denmark, Greenland and in the Faroe Islands.

The Buoying section establishes, maintains and monitors lighthouses and lifebuoys, and sends out warnings to ships. These warnings are sent out, for example, when messages are sent from sea that there are errors with the lighthouses and lifebuoys. The section runs the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s two inspection vessels, I/F Jens Sørensen and I/F Poul Løwenørn, which take care of the maintenance vessels that go to sea. I/F Jens Sørensen also performs maritime surveys.

The Coastal Rescue Service works with the Police and the Navy to ensure assistance to those in distress at sea. The Coastal Rescue Service consists of 21 rescue stations along the Danish coast. The Coastal Rescue Service is on call 24 hours a day, all year round. The first unit usually leaves within 10 minutes of receiving the alarm. About 800 rescues are made each year.

Business Development (IA-F) works on the ongoing development of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s products and services. This means promoting innovation and knowledge sharing, both internally within the Danish Maritime Safety Administration and in the collective maritime sector. It’s about strategic analysis in the company, as well as focusing on the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s international work. The section works to ensure Danish influence and recognition in the global maritime sector.

Project Management (IA-P) ensures the professional undertaking of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s strategic projects. The projects are carried out according to the PRINCE-2 model. The section is also in charge of project administration and management information for the collective project portfolio.

IT (IA-IT) looks after the operation of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s business-critical IT systems. The Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s products and services are very dependent on a well-functioning IT infrastructure, and this dependency is expected to increase in the future. IT development is therefore a considerable part of strategic project work.

Staff Administration and Service (PØS-P) consists of three different areas: officer functions, filing and staff administration. PØS-P is responsible for the daily maintenance of the head office (“Søkæsthuset”) and physical security, as well as purchase of office stationary and equipment. The servicing of the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s reception and the responsibility for the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s filing lies with PØS-P. PØS-P is also responsible for recruiting, collective negotiating, salary negotiation and registering holidays and illness.

PØS-HR works with the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s most important resource: its employees. Tasks include management development, skills development, staff policies and servicing of HSU, etc. Course administration, intro seminars, the FOKUS system, staff benefits and skills fund all belong to PØS-HR. Last, but not least, our relaxation specialist offers massage to tender shoulders and advice on positions and movement at work.

Economy Management (PØS-Ø) is responsible for the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s management of budget and accounts. It is here that the finance law’s appropriations for the Danish Maritime Safety Administration and Pilot Department are formed and followed up. The accounting part of the annual report is also created here. Furthermore, PØS- Ø has primary responsibility for coordinating the economy management processes in the Danish Maritime Safety Administration (planning of layout, monthly and quarterly follow-up on the economy, etc.).

The Purchases and Tenders (PØS-I) section advises and makes purchases within the Danish Maritime Safety Administration. PØS-I advises and supervises on all kinds of agreements and other issues related to purchasing, handling of invoices, payments and other economic tasks. The section also administers the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s buildings.

The Salary (PØS-L) section pays out salaries and variable services, and solves tasks related to accountancy reporting – including holiday monies due and wage rate calculations. In addition to this, the Salary section also calculates the housing and heating contributions for those in service.