Since September 2008, there is a short telephone number, 118 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for Maritime service. The purpose of the Maritime service is to increase service towards society. Thanks to the short number the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) can be reached better. On handling the 118 calls, special attention is paid to urgent cases. With a view to the way in which our service is organized, we can guarantee you that you will not be connected to an answering machine or that your call does not get through.

The number can, among other things, be dialed in the following situations:

• Collision between two vessels;
• Collision resulting into contact with floating or fixed objects;
• Be stranded as a result of running aground or sinking of vessels;
• Fire or explosion on board vessels;
• Vessel and / or object is adrift;
• Research and assessment of incident, collision, disaster, pollution of river / sea;
• Loss of units of cargo, as far as this poses an increased risk for shipping;
• Engine trouble, damage to the rudder or blackout on board traveling vessels;
• Bring about contact between vessel in distress and owner, police and / or service company;
• Supervise activities on Surinamese waterways, supervision on the observance of shipping regulations;
• Accidents, actions, impeding situations, danger to safety and shipping.