The Port Department is a government agency with vast and diversified duties and responsibilities under the purview of the Ministry of Transport and Local Government. It is responsible for enforcing safety measures and conducting timely inspections on all vessels registered with the Department, in accordance with the Ports Authorities Act, the Boat Registration Act, the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act and the Water Skiing and Motor Boat Control Act. 

Under these Acts, this Department is mandated to:

• Inspection and licensing of boats and boat masters, under the Boat Registration Act, 1961. (commercial registration)
• Salvaging of wrecks
• Control of shipping traffic and the logging of shipping data through radio communications from its Harbour Control Office
• Collection of all revenue from commercial and private docks, mooring, groins, causeway, etc.
• Patrol of the harbour and outlying Cays
• Registration of boats under the Water Skiing and Motor Boat Control Act, 1970. (private registration)