The Office for Maritime Affairs or the Office for the Supervision of Navigation was founded in 1745, at the time of the new increase of maritime affairs in the Dubrovnik Republic. It appears in archival sources under the following names: Officio della Navigazione, Officio alla Sopraintendenza della Navigazione, Sopraintendenza della Navigazione, Officio della Marina, Magistrato alla Navigazione. The office was managed by five senators, the so-called Officiali alla Sopraintendenza della Navigazione, who were initially elected for a term of five years, and from the 80s of the 18th centuries, for a term of three years. The office supervised the entire maritime affairs of the Dubrovnik Republic. For example, among other things, the office was in charge to conduct investigations and trials in the disputes of Ragusan sea captains, it cooperated with the consulates of the Dubrovnik Republic in Mediterranean ports and collected maritime taxes.