Article 104 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 104 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 وسلامة الرحلة، وله إيقاع العقوبات التأديبية، وفقاً للأنظمة المعمول بها.
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 104 explained in plain English
This article gives the master three powers that make him the authority on board the ship during the voyage:
- The power of notarization on the ship.
- Powers to preserve order and security over all persons on the ship, to the extent required by:
- preserving order.
- the security of the ship, the passengers and the cargo loaded.
- the safety of the voyage.
- Imposing disciplinary penalties, which is done in accordance with the regulations in force.
Note that these powers are limited by their purpose: they extend only as far as order, security and safety require, and disciplinary penalties are bound by the regulations in force. The article does not detail the types of penalties or the notarization procedures.
The reason is that a ship at sea is far from public authorities, so those on board need an authority to preserve order. Article 105 completes this role by requiring the master to record births and deaths in the official log and to inventory and hand over the belongings of a deceased person. Anyone facing a measure taken against him by a master should consult a lawyer who specializes in maritime law.
Practical example
A passenger caused a disturbance aboard a ferry bound for the port of Jeddah and endangered the safety of the passengers. The master may take the measures needed to preserve order and security on the ship.
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 104 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does the master have authority over passengers?
Yes. He has over persons on the ship the powers required to preserve order and the security of the ship, passengers and cargo and the safety of the voyage.
May the master punish seamen?
He may impose disciplinary penalties in accordance with the regulations in force.
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 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 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.