About The Department

The Maritime Safety and Security Department’s role is at the heart of the mandate of GMA, which, among others, is to ensure safety of life at sea. The Department conducts Flag State, Port State, and Coastal State duties. They are also responsible for marine accident investigations.

Flag state duties entail ensuring compliance with maritime laws by Gambian vessels. This is done through inspections and surveys as required under the Merchant Shipping Act and international maritime conventions.

Another key function of the Maritime Safety and Security Department is conducting Port State Control at Gambian Ports, which involves inspection of foreign-flagged vessels and verifying their compliance with international regulations. The department works closely with the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control to eliminate substandard ships in the West and Central Africa region.

Coastal state duties also fall under the Safety and Security Department and include monitoring compliance with port and terminal security and safety rules and regulations. The department is the coordinating body for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).