In Portugal, the coast guard role is performed by several government agencies that, together, form the Maritime Authority System (Portuguese: Sistema de Autoridade Marítima, SAM).
The SAM includes the Portuguese Navy, the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Portuguese Air Force, the Civil Protection Authority, the National Medical Emergency Institute and the Criminal Investigation Police (PJ).
The National Maritime Authority (Portuguese: Autoridade Marítima Nacional) or AMN is the service responsible for coast guard duties within Portugal.
The function of AMN is performed by the Chief of Staff of the Navy himself, supported in this role by the Directorate of the Maritime Authority, which includes the Maritime Police, the Lifeguard Institute, the Lighthouse Department and the several harbourmasters.
In addition to the vessels in the list below, all the Portuguese Navy ships also belong to the Maritime Authority System.