Article 102 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 102 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 ضباطها. وفي هذه الحالة يجب عليه إنقاذ النقود وأوراق السفينة وأثمن البضائع ما أمكن ذلك.
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 102 explained in plain English
This article imposes on the master a duty to stay with the ship and places strict limits on leaving it.
First: no abandoning command. The master may not give up command of the ship until it reaches port.
Second: abandoning the ship. He may not leave the ship or order it abandoned unless both of two conditions are met:
- There is certain danger, not merely a possible one.
- The ship's officers have been consulted beforehand.
Third: duty to save items on abandonment. If the ship is abandoned in this case, the master must save the money, the ship's papers and the most valuable cargo where possible.
This provision is understood with Article 101, under which the master alone commands the ship and directs the voyage and must maintain its seaworthiness. Article 103 also requires him to take command in person when entering and leaving ports and passing through waterways. To assess the liability of a master who abandoned his ship in a particular situation, consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime law.
Practical example
A fire broke out on a ship in the Red Sea and the crew could not put it out. After consulting his officers and confirming that the danger was certain, the master ordered the ship abandoned, and took with him its papers and the money on board.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 102 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When may the master leave the ship?
When there is certain danger and after consulting its officers.
What must the master save when abandoning the ship?
The money, the ship's papers and the most valuable cargo, where possible.
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 101
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.
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
- 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.