What is the main function of the COTP?

The Captain of the Port (COTP) mainly focuses on regulating navigational safety. This role is critical in maintaining the safety of maritime navigation in areas under U.S. jurisdiction. The COTP is empowered to establish regulations and enforce safety measures that help prevent maritime accidents and ensure safe passage for vessels. This includes overseeing vessel traffic, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and responding to emergencies within the port area.

While the other options involve important functions related to maritime activities, they fall outside the primary duties of the COTP. Marine environmental protection, fisheries management, and vessel inspections are handled by different agencies or under specific regulations that do not directly pertain to the navigational safety role of the COTP. Thus, the COTP's primary focus remains on ensuring safe navigation and minimizing risks associated with maritime traffic.