Article 101 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 101 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
The master alone commands the ship and directs the voyage, the next officer replaces him on his death or absence, and he must observe technical standards, conventions and maritime custom and maintain the ship's seaworthiness and the sufficiency of supplies.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- للربان وحده قيادة السفينة، وإدارة الرحلة البحرية، ويقوم الضابط الذي يليه مباشرة في الدرجة مقامه في حالة وفاته أو غيابه أو وجود مانع آخر.
2- يجب على الربان أن يراعي في قيادة السفينة الأصول الفنية في الملاحة البحرية، والاتفاقيات الدولية النافذة في المملكة، والعرف البحري، والأحكام المعمول بها في موانئ الدولة التي فيها السفينة.
3- يجب على الربان أن يحافظ على صلاحية السفينة للملاحة، وأن يراعي كفاية المؤن وما يلزم السفينة خلال الرحلة البحرية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 101 explained in plain English
This article specifies the master's standing and basic duties in commanding the ship.
First: sole command. The master alone commands the ship and directs the sea voyage. If he dies, is absent or is otherwise prevented, the officer next to him in rank takes his place, so the ship is never left without a commander.
Second: what he must observe in command. The master must comply with:
- The technical standards of maritime navigation.
- The international conventions in force in the Kingdom.
- Maritime custom.
- The rules in force in the ports of the state where the ship is located.
Third: seaworthiness and supplies. He must maintain the ship's seaworthiness and attend to the sufficiency of supplies and what the ship needs during the voyage.
This is linked to Article 100, which gives the operator the power to appoint and dismiss the master, and to Article 102, which bars him from giving up command of the ship until it reaches port. Anyone facing a dispute over the master's performance of his duties should consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime law.
Practical example
The master of a cargo ship bound for the port of Jeddah fell ill during the voyage and could not work. The officer next to him in rank takes command of the ship until the impediment ends.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 101 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who commands the ship if the master is absent or dies?
The officer next to him in rank takes his place.
What must the master observe in commanding the ship?
The technical standards of maritime navigation, the international conventions in force in the Kingdom, maritime custom, and the rules of the ports of the state where the ship is located.
More articles on The Master: Authority and Duties
- Article 100
The ship's operator appoints and dismisses the master, and a dismissed master is entitled to compensation where warranted under the general rules.
يعين مجهز السفينة الربان ويعزله، وللربان في حالة عزله الحق في التعويض إن كان له مقتضى وفقاً للقواعد العامة.
- Article 102
The master may not give up command of the ship until it reaches port, and may not leave it or order it abandoned except in the face of certain danger after consulting its officers, saving money, papers and the most valuable cargo where possible.
1- لا يجوز للربان أن يتخلى عن قيادة السفينة حتى وصول السفينة إلى الميناء. 2- لا يجوز للربان أن يغادر السفينة، أو أن يأمر بتركها إلا بسبب خطرٍ محقق وبعد أخذ رأي
- Article 103
The master must personally command the ship when entering and leaving ports, passing through waterways and whenever special obstacles confront navigation, even if he is obliged to use a pilot.
على الربان أن يتولى بنفسه قيادة السفينة عند دخولها الموانئ، أو خروجها منها أو أثناء اجتياز الممرات البحرية، وكذلك في جميع الأحوال التي تعترض الملاحة عقبات خاصة،
- Article 104
The master has the authority to notarize on the ship, and over those on board the powers needed to preserve order and the security of the ship, passengers and cargo and the safety of the voyage, and to impose disciplinary penalties in accordance with the regulations.
تكون للربان سلطة التوثيق على السفينة، كما تكون له على الأشخاص الذين على السفينة السلطات التي يقتضيها حفظ النظام وأمن السفينة والركاب والبضائع المشحونة بها وسلام
- Article 105
The master records births and deaths in the official logbook and follows the civil status rules, inventories a deceased person's belongings with an officer and hands them over at the first Saudi port, and may put off a person with a contagious disease at the nearest port.
1- إذا حدثت ولادة أو وفاة أثناء السفر وجب على الربان إثبات هذه الوقائع في دفتر الوقائع الرسمي للسفينة، واتباع الإجراءات المنصوص عليها في الأنظمة الخاصة بالأحوال
- Article 106
If a crime is committed on the ship, the master gathers evidence and makes urgent inquiries until the authorities arrive, may detain the accused and preserve evidence, then hands over a report and seized items at the first Saudi port.
1- إذا وقعت جريمة على متن السفينة تولى الربان -إلى حين وصول السلطات المختصة- جمع الاستدلالات وإجراء التحريات التي لا تحتمل التأخير، وله عند الاقتضاء أن يأمر بال
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.