Article 105 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 105 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المدنية.
2- على الربان، في حالة وفاة أحد الأشخاص الموجودين في السفينة، أن يقوم بالاشتراك مع أحد ضباط السفينة بجرد أمتعته والمحافظة عليها وتسليمها إلى السلطة المختصة في أول ميناء يصل إليه من موانئ المملكة.
3- إذا أصيب أحد الأشخاص الذين في السفينة بمرض معدٍ جاز للربان إنزاله في أقرب ميناء يمكن علاجه فيه.
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 105 explained in plain English
This article sets out the master's duties when a birth, a death or a contagious illness occurs during the voyage:
First: births and deaths. If a birth or a death occurs during the voyage, the master must:
- Record the event in the ship's official logbook.
- Follow the procedures set out in the civil status regulations.
Second: the belongings of the deceased. If a person on board dies, the master, together with one of the ship's officers, inventories the deceased's belongings, safeguards them, and then hands them over to the competent authority at the first of the Kingdom's ports that the ship reaches.
Third: contagious disease. If a person on board contracts a contagious disease, the master may put that person off at the nearest port where treatment is possible. This is discretionary and is for the master to judge, to protect the health of those on board.
This is linked to Article 104, which gives the master authority to document matters on the ship, and to Article 106, which governs the master's role when a crime is committed on board. Families of a person who died or was born on a ship should contact the competent civil status authorities, and a lawyer specializing in maritime law where there is a dispute.
Practical example
A passenger dies during a sea voyage bound for the port of Yanbu. The master records the death in the official logbook, inventories the deceased's belongings with one of the officers, and hands them to the competent authority on arrival at Yanbu.
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 105 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How is a baby's birth on board a ship registered?
The master records it in the ship's official logbook and follows the procedures set out in the civil status regulations.
What happens to the belongings of someone who dies on a ship?
The master inventories them with one of the ship's officers, safeguards them, and hands them to the competent authority at the first of the Kingdom's ports the ship reaches.
Can a passenger with a contagious disease be put off the ship?
Yes. The master may put the person off at the nearest port where treatment is 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 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 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.