As maritime offices are branches of the maritime administration, their directors have wide-ranging jurisdiction. One of the most important duties of maritime office directors is to conduct the marine ship register, which is commonly known as the administrative register. The directors of maritime offices should be informed when salvage attempts are made, and he/she has the power to relieve pilots of their duties under certain legal circumstances. Directors also conduct inspections and reviews to ensure that ships comply with requirements regarding the prevention of marine pollution. The authors emphasize that the existing Polish two-tiered maritime administration system is criticized. Attention is directed to the combined description of the substantive characteristics of the bodies of the first and second instance, the indistinct character of certain institutions, and the lack of a stable concept regarding the role and tasks of offices responsible for maritime economics and the operations of the entire maritime administration.