Thumb: 

To comply with the requirements of International Maritime Organisation Conventions - Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) and National legislation relating to maritime safety of navigation, maritime security, the protection of the marine environment and to protect and promote South Africa’s maritime interests

• Implement systems for maritime surveillance, identification, monitoring & tracking of vessels within SA territorial waters, the EEZ, the SAR region extending to the Antarctica
• Maintain Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) of SA’s extended maritime area
• Communicate with vessel traffic, when necessary 
• Search And Rescue (SAR) functions & responsibilities
• Identify and Respond to possible maritime incidents  
• Monitor coastal & offshore activities
• Cooperate with SA government departments with respect to maritime matters
• Profile the activities undertaken to protect the SA’s maritime interests

Maritime Surveillance equipment includes;

• Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT)
• Automatic Identification System (AIS) both land-based and satellite detection
• Maritime radio communication systems (terrestrial and satellite) 
• Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

Response includes;

• Maritime communications and navigation warnings
• Emergency Response Tug (SMIT AMANDLA) on standby to respond to vessels in difficulty to prevent pollution or grounding
• Coordinating response to oil pollution at sea with relevant national and local response agencies
• Cooperation with other organs of State with respect to maritime incidents