Main Administration Sea Police

The Main Administration Sea Police (Hauptverwaltung Seepolizei (HVS)) was an East German maritime organization established with support of the Soviet Navy on June 16, 1950.

The HVS was established to organize, train and operate naval forces during a period in which East Germany officially had no military.

On July 27, 1950, the HVA assumed command of the newly formed Seehydrographischer Dienst (Sea Hydrographic Service] of the GDR.

The Sea Police was organized with less experienced personnel because nearly two thirds of the members of the Kriegsmarine had been captured by British and American forces and had chosen to stay in the western occupations zones after their release from captivity.

On August 1, 1953, units of the Sea Police were restructured as the Volkspolizei See (VP-See) (People's Police-Sea) to create the foundation for an effective militarized maritime force.

And finally, in 1960, the naval forces received the honorary title Volksmarine (People’s Navy) which was also responsible for units operating as part of the Grenzbrigade Küste (Coastal Border Brigade).