The Department of Maritime Security within the Liberia Maritime Authority is responsible to administer Maritime Security related affairs of the Authority. The Department comprises of the Maritime Intelligence and Investigation Unit (MIIU) and the Security Operatives Unit. The Maritime Security Department serves as the Authority's main strategic resource in combating, investigating and if necessary, prosecuting maritime-related crimes, offences and violations.

The Department carries out oversight through the use of an elite group of Maritime Agents/ Special Agents whose sole purpose is to establish, protect and preserve the national domain awareness initiatives, working alone or in collaboration with the Liberian Coast Guard, and other agencies, as is necessary. Likewise, the Department is also responsible to uphold the regulatory and security tenets of the national maritime domain and water-borne commerce, in keeping with the Liberian Maritime Law, Regulations and Policies.

Furthermore, the Department ensures the proper collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of critical data / information consistent with breaches of the Liberia Maritime Law, Regulations, Policies, and procedures, as well as all International Maritime Conventions, Protocols and Treaties to which the nation is a party. Some additional duties include ensuring the protection / security of senior maritime personnel, visiting VIP's, and high value maritime assets nationwide.

Within the new reform of the department as per the IMO Strategy for Enhancing Maritime Security within West and Central Africa and in keeping with the Code of Conduct and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Security Strategy, the Department shall also play a major role and be an intricate part of the development of National Maritime Security Strategies, National Maritime Security Policies and National Maritime Security Implementation Plans and Procedures.

In this process, they will be tasked to generate the implementation of appropriate national maritime security policies to safeguard maritime trade from all forms of unlawful acts; national legislation, industry best practices, documented processes and procedures, which together provide the security necessary for the safe and secure operation of port facilities and ships at all security levels; and national legislation which ensures effective protection of the national maritime domain to include the integration of maritime offshore monitoring, control and surveillance activities.

The Department of Domestic Vessel is responsible to register and certificate ships under 500 gross tonnage operating in and beyond Liberian waters. The legal basis establishing the registration and certification of such ships in the Republic of Liberia is governed under Chapter 11 of Title 21 of the Liberian Maritime Law known as the Registration and Control of Pleasure Watercraft, Yacht, Fishing Vessels and Domestic Commercial Vessels Operating In and Outside the Republic.  By and through this statute, the Liberian Administration administers its Small Watercraft and Pleasure Craft Registry alongside the globally recognized International Registry which is operated and managed by the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR).

This department which is also known as Small Watercraft and Pleasure Craft Registry registration services include issuance of applicable statutory certificates, seamen books, mortgage recordation, registration of bill of sales or builder’s certificate etc. The Registry utilizes the services of the Department of Inspection, Survey and Audits to implement its core functions.  

In ensuring compliance with various applicable Liberia Maritime laws and regulations as well as internationally accepted maritime safety, pollution prevention, security and labor instruments, the functions of this Department span port, flag and coastal State obligations.

Under Port State activities, SISA oversees Port State control (PSC) - the inspection of all foreign flagged vessels calling into Liberian seaports. In addition, s part of its port state control obligations aimed at deterring sub-standard shipping in the region, it liaises with and reports to the Secretariat of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU).

There are specific flag State responsibilities and obligations performed by this Department. Similar to what LISCR, which administers the Liberian Registry, does for the inspection and audit of vessels and ship management companies under international program, SISA carries out the survey/inspection and audit of all domestic watercrafts and maritime-related companies registered under the Domestic Watercraft Law. It cooperates with other relevant departments and national stakeholders to investigate marine accidents and mishaps. The Department also supports LISCR with the transshipment program by liaising with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture of Liberia (NaFAA), to monitor Liberian-flagged vessels (including reefer, bunker and supply vessels) registered under the international program and engaged in or that plan to be involved in transshipment activities in certain sea areas or of specific species of fish managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs) worldwide.

SISA is also tasked with the authority to ensure national compliance with key coastal State obligations and responsibilities of the provision and management of aids to navigation (AtoNs), maritime safety information (MSI) and hydrographic services – with a view to enhance safety of navigation in Liberia coastal waters.

As part of its responsibilities to implement and enforce relevant national and international maritime laws and conventions, the Department develops policies and plans with the view to promote maritime safety and the protection of the broader marine environment.

This department is clothed with the responsibilities of developing and implementing an integrated system for the protection of the marine environment as well as the National Maritime as well as implement public policies associated with the protection of Liberia marine environment in accordance with national and international regulations; develop policies governing the protection from pollution that could cause environmental damage to the marine environment; coordinate with other relevant government agencies for the establishment of a national system for immediate response to marine pollution incidents, reducing the risks and threats posed for such incidents; contribute to capacity building of personnel of all stakeholders in marine emergency response, damage assessment and identify measures needed to address them; participate in raising public awareness of citizens about the protection of the marine environment and to combat marine pollution; provide marine environmental advice to the Commissioner and the Board of Directors; Commission studies and tests necessary for the protection of the marine environment, and contribute to the field of environmental studies at the national level in the legal scope of the Commission; develop systems and technical procedures for inspection of environmental marine facilities; establish sets of rules and regulations that ensure the existence of effective compensation for damage to persons or property or the environment itself in the exercise of maritime activities, both within private enterprises (coastal and marine) or on the sea; organize and coordinate operations to combat marine pollution in all its forms, and follow up implementation of plans and control techniques adopted in the Commission and develop follow-up actions necessary to implement a national contingency plan for dealing with oil pollution of the marine environment in accordance with international standards.

The Marine Environmental Protection department also handles Integrated Coastal Management Program, Liberia Coastal Zone, programs that safeguard Liberia marine and waterways from invasive species through the development and implementation of an effective ballast Water Management policy.