Article 128 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 128 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد العمل البحري
If a seafarer dies during the voyage, his heirs receive his wage up to the day of death if monthly, the full voyage wage if paid by the voyage, and the full share if his pay is a share in profits.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا كان أجر البحار يحسب بالشهر وتوفي أثناء الرحلة, فيكون لورثته الحق في الحصول على أجره إلى يوم وفاته.
2- إذا كان أجر البحار يحسب بالرحلة وتوفي أثناءها, فيكون لورثته الحق في الحصول على أجره عن الرحلة كاملة.
3- إذا كان أجر البحار هو حصة في الأرباح, فيكون لورثته الحق في الحصول عليها كاملة.
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 128 explained in plain English
This article sets out what a seafarer's heirs are entitled to if he dies during the voyage, depending on how his wage is calculated:
- Monthly wage: the heirs are entitled to his wage up to the day of his death.
- Wage by the voyage: the heirs are entitled to his wage for the whole voyage, not only for the part he served before death.
- Share in profits: the heirs are entitled to the full share.
It appears that the Law leans toward protecting the seafarer's family: for a voyage wage and for a share in profits, the heirs' right is not reduced because of death during the voyage.
Note that the article concerns death during the voyage and sets only the rights relating to the wage; it does not address other rights the heirs may be entitled to. This article follows Article 127, which governs the voyage wage when the voyage is shortened or lengthened, and precedes Article 129, which prevents attachment of a seafarer's wage or assignment of it except within the limits set out in the labor law.
Heirs of a seafarer claiming their late relative's dues are advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime law.
Practical example
A seafarer working on a fishing vessel for a wage fixed for the whole voyage dies in the middle of the voyage. His heirs are entitled to the wage for the whole voyage.
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 128 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
What are a seafarer's heirs entitled to if he dies during the voyage and his wage was monthly?
His wage up to the day of his death.
If a seafarer's wage was for the voyage and he died during it, do the heirs receive the whole wage?
Yes. They are entitled to his wage for the whole voyage.
What if his pay was a share of the profits?
His heirs are entitled to the full share.
More articles on Maritime Employment Contract and Seafarer Rights
- Article 56
The article provides that giving the master and crew an advance or a payment on account does not make their debts referred to in paragraph (2) of Article 46 payable before their due date.
لا يترتب على تسليم الربان والبحارة وغيرهم ممن يرتبطون بعقد عمل في السفينة مبلغاً مقدماً أو على الحساب اعتبار ديونهم المشار إليها في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادس
- Article 91
If a ship is sold compulsorily as a result of its attachment, the person to whom the auction is awarded is not bound by the employment contracts of the master or the seamen working on it.
إذا بيعت السفينة جبراً نتيجة الحجز عليها فلا يلتزم من رسا عليه المزاد بعقود عمل ربان السفينة أو البحارة الذين يعملون عليها.
- Article 114
The master and seafarers may not load goods for their own account without the shipowner's permission; a violator pays double the freight, and the master may throw the goods overboard if they endanger safety or entail fines or expenses.
لا يجوز للربان أو لأحد البحارة شحن بضاعة في السفينة لحسابه الخاص إلا بإذن من المجهز، ويترتب على مخالفة هذا الحظر إلزام المخالف بأن يدفع للمجهز ضعف أجرة نقل البض
- Article 125
The maritime employment contract provisions apply to those working on ships on international voyages, and a Saudi may not work on ships sailing outside the Kingdom's maritime areas without a maritime service record from the Authority.
1- تسري أحكام عقد العمل البحري الواردة في النظام على الأشخاص الذين يعملون على السفن التي تقوم برحلات دولية. 2- لا يجوز لمن يحملون الجنسية السعودية أن يقوموا بأي
- Article 126
The employer must pay seafarers' wages at the time and place specified in the contract, or those required by maritime custom.
يلتزم صاحب العمل بأداء أجور البحارة في الزمان والمكان المحددين في العقد، أو اللذين يقضي بهما العرف البحري.
- Article 127
A seafarer's voyage wage is not reduced if the shipowner or master shortens the voyage, and increases in proportion to the extension if they lengthen or postpone it, with no increase for the master where it was his fault.
إذا كان الأجر معيناً بالرحلة فلا يجوز تخفيضه في حالة تقصير السفر بفعل المجهز أو الربان، أما إذا نشأ عن الفعل المذكور إطالة السفر أو تأجيله فيزداد الأجر بنسبة ام
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.