Article 116 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 116 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الربان
The master protects the interests of the owner, shipowner, seafarers, passengers and cargo owners; in necessity he does every urgent act for the safety of lives, the ship and the cargo, and informs the shipowner before an unusual step where circumstances allow.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجب على الربان أن يتخذ الإجراءات الضرورية التي تقتضيها المحافظة على مصلحة مالك السفينة والمجهز والبحارة والركاب وذوي الحقوق على الشحنة.
2- على الربان أن يقوم في حالة الضرورة بكل عمل عاجل تقتضيه سلامة الأرواح، والمحافظة على السفينة والشحنة. ومع ذلك يجب عليه إبلاغ المجهز قبل أن يقرر القيام بإجراء غير عادي، إذا سمحت الظروف بذلك.
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 116 explained in plain English
This article sets out the master's general duty to protect all those with an interest in the ship.
First: protecting interests. The master must take the necessary steps required to protect the interests of:
- The ship's owner and the shipowner.
- The seafarers and the passengers.
- Those with rights in the cargo.
Second: urgent acts. In a case of necessity, the master must do every urgent act required by:
- The safety of lives.
- The preservation of the ship and the cargo.
Third: informing the shipowner. The master must inform the shipowner before deciding on an unusual step, but only where circumstances permit. If there is no time to inform, the master is not prevented from acting urgently.
This article complements the master's other duties; Article 115 governs the shippers' rights when the master has to repair the ship during the voyage. To assess the master's actions in an emergency, consulting a lawyer specializing in maritime law is advised.
Practical example
A ship's master discovers water leaking into a hold containing food goods. He immediately takes urgent steps to protect the ship and the cargo, and if he wants to take an unusual step such as changing the destination of the voyage, he must first inform the shipowner if circumstances permit.
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 116 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Whose interests does the master protect?
The interests of the ship's owner, the shipowner, the seafarers, the passengers and those with rights in the cargo.
Does the master need the shipowner's permission in emergencies?
The master must inform the shipowner before deciding on an unusual step if circumstances permit, and may do every urgent act required by the safety of lives, the ship and the cargo.
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 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
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.