SEA PATROLS OFF THE LATVIAN COAST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002200120046-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 46
• Publication Date: October 7, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved For Release 2002/07/15 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA00220012 046-4
CENTRAL. INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
USSR (Latvian SSR)
S11rCRE1 /CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
SUBJECT
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25X1 C
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its trSnsmiseion or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
25X1A
DATE DISTR. 7 October 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL Of CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. A si le-engine flying boat sometimes patrols the sea area 10 miles off
Pape (N 56-14, 1 21-03) during the day.l It is not known whether this
aircraft belongs to the border guards or to the Naval Air Arm. Its base
is not known, but after patrolling this area-the aircraft disappears in
the direction of Lepaya. Air patrols have not been observed in other sea areas.
2. The area 10 miles off Pape is frequently patrolled by an MO vessel. during
the day, which sometimes stops the fishing vessels to check the papers of
the crew. No MOs have been encountered during the night in this sea area.
3.
An MO vessel on patrol duty can almost always be encountered, day and night,
approximately ten to twelve miles off Lepayar
4. During the night, a patrol vessel of the MO type is usually stationed
approximately one mile off Akmenrags (N 56-50, a 21-10). This vessel
iweeps the entire sea area with its searchlight at intervals of approximately
five minutes. At a point approximately one mile off Saraiki, another MO Datrol
vessel is stationed at night. This vessel also sweeps the sea area with its
searchlight at intervals of five minutes. During the day, no patrol vessels
have been encountered between Akmenrags and Lepaya.2
At night, a patrol vessel is frequently encountered 25 miles off Sarnate
(N 57-07, Z 21-29). This vessel, like all other patrol vessels, does not
show any navigation lights, but if a fishing vessel is observed, the patrol
vessel turns its searchlight on the fishing craft to determine its number.
6. A patrol vessel of the ISO or BO type is stationed three miles-off Ventspils
(N 57-24, 10 21-34) during the night. It sweeps the sea area with its
searchlight.
SSCRM/CONTROL US OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE x IARMY TNAVY By 4x AIR
FBI I IAEC
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Approved For Release 2002/07/15 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002200120046-4
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7. The straits of Irbe are patrolled by BOs, and fishermen, when passing through
the straits, are approached and requested to state their destination;
weather permitting, sailors from the B0 board the fishing vessel and search
both the crew and the boat. A sketch of the radar observed on these BOs
appears at the end of this report.
8. Warships are seldom encountered at sea off the Latvian coast, except in the
sea area off Lepaya. This area is ten to fifteen miles off Lepaya in the
sea squares Nos. 500 and 530.3 Minesweepers are most frequently the type
of warships encountered. Submarines can also be observed approaching
Lepaya on true course 068?, which is the course laid down by the authorities
for vessels heading for Lepaya.
9. The reason so few warships are encountered at sea is that fishermen are not
allowed to leave port when any naval maneuvers are in progress, nor are
they allowed to enter any sea area when exercises are in progress. If a
fishing vessel inadvertently approaches such an area, it will be sent to
another area, or told to return to port by one of the patrol vessels.
These patrol vessels always keep a non-naval or fishing vessel at a distance,
from which nothing can be clearly distinguished.
Sketc of the Radar on 30 Vessels
'Tau
I&J'sNuME,
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Comment. The flying boat is probably a MBR--2; it is
.1
commonly used in connection with fishing patrol work.
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2; Comment. reported that the
sea area between Akmenrags and Lepaya was heavily patrolled.
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3. Comment. In lI source gave the approximate center
of sea square No. 500 as N 56 33, E 20-44, and sea square No. 530
as N 56-33, $ 20-34. reported the
center of sea square No. 500 as N 56-31, E 20-42.
25X1A
SBDCPM/C0NTR0L US OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2002/07/15 : CIA-RDP80-00810A002200120046-4