The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is the country's vanguard against the entry of unsafe foreign vessels into the country through its Port State Control (PSC). At present, the PCG has 14 PSC Centers and 29 PSC Divisions all throughout the archipelago.

The PSC Center in Manila has the bulk of al inspections based on frequency of foreign ship calls.

Pursuant to Republic Act 9993, the organization is mandated to enforce regulations in accordance with all relevant maritime international conventions, treaties or instruments of which the government is signatory and national taws.

MARITIME SAFETY or MARSAF function is designed to help prevent or minimize unnecessary loss of lives and properties at sea.

The seaworthiness of every vessel leaving the port is ensured through the intensified Mandatory Pre-departure Inspection which include the compliance of vessels to safety standards and prevention of vessels from sailing for failure to comply with the standards; conduct of random Emergency Readiness Evaluation and Operational Readiness Evaluation in the ports; conduct of regular vessel safety inspections, and publication of Notice to Mariners (NOTAM), and the implementation and enforcement of navigational rules and designation of sea lanes, among others.

Further, the PCG is also responsible in issuing permits and supervises all marine salvage operations. It is mandated to destroy or tow floating hazards to navigation such as, but not limited to illegal fish traps and vessels.

Moreover, navigational safety is ensured by operating and/or maintaining and servicing 565 lighthouses and more than 44 navigational buoys around the country which guide and ensures safe voyage to mariners.