Services on behalf of Government:

• Advice to the Minister of Transport on maritime issues affecting South Africa
• Maintenance and proposals on legislation and policy
• Liaison with other governments and international institutions on behalf of Government
• Liaison with other state departments and South African institutions on behalf of the Minister of Transport
• Flag State Implementation
• Providing a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) capability in the South African area of responsibility through the management, on behalf of the DOT, of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
• Port State control
• Accident investigations and Emergency Casualty Response
• Administration of government maritime contracts
• Management of the DOT contracted pollution prevention and response capability
• Representation at international forums

Technical services to the maritime Industry, locally and abroad:

• Statutory surveys and Safety certification of ships
• Certification of Seafarers
• Assistance and advice on maritime legislation
• Advice and approval for the construction and refitting of vessels
• Evaluation and approval of fittings and equipment used in the construction and fitting out of vessels
• Consultancy to industry on technical matters, safety and qualifications

Services to stakeholders:

• Safety equipment approval
• Port State Control Inspections
• Inspections of ships and cargoes of timber, grain and hazardous goods
• Accreditation of maritime training institutions and maritime training programmes
• Examination of Seafarers
• Monitoring of South African seafarers’ welfare and conditions of service
• Registration of Ships
• Provision of maritime safety information to shipping
• Ensuring a reliable radio service to shipping in respect of maritime safety information
• Casualty investigation and management
• Oil pollution incident response and investigations
• Ensuring that navigational aids are in place around the South African coastline
• Maintenance of a maritime Search and Rescue organisation in co-operation with the Department of Transport
• Promoting seafarer training in South Africa
• Collection and maintenance of shipping information and statistics
• Pro-active development and promotion of maritime safety in South Africa’s territorial waters