Article 103 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 103 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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، حتى ولو كان الربان ملزماً بالاستعانة بمرشد.
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 103 explained in plain English
This article specifies the situations in which the master must command the ship himself, because they are dangerous moments requiring his experience and direct presence:
- When the ship enters ports.
- When it leaves them.
- While passing through waterways.
- In all cases where special obstacles confront navigation.
Importantly, this duty remains even if the master is obliged to use a pilot. The pilot provides his knowledge of local waters, but his presence does not relieve the master of taking command himself.
This is consistent with Article 102, which bars the master from giving up command of the ship until it reaches port and from abandoning it except in the face of certain danger and after consulting its officers. Article 104 also requires that the master have over those on the ship the powers that the preservation of order, the security of the ship and the safety of the voyage require. Anyone facing a dispute after an incident in a port or waterway should consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime law.
Practical example
When a tanker entered the port of Ras Tanura, a compulsory pilot boarded it. Despite the pilot's presence, the master must personally command the ship throughout the entry.
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 103 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the master relieved of command if there is a pilot?
No. He must personally take command in these situations even if he is obliged to use a pilot.
When must the master command the ship himself?
When entering and leaving ports, while passing through waterways, and in every case where special obstacles confront navigation.
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 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 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.