Article 130 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 130 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد العمل البحري
The employer treats a seafarer injured or ill in the ship's service free of charge, deducting the costs from his wage if it arose from misconduct, and the obligation ends if the condition is proved incurable.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يلتزم صاحب العمل بعلاج البحار دون مقابل إذا أصيب بجرح أو مرض وهو في خدمة السفينة. وإذا كان الجرح أو المرض ناشئاً عن العصيان أو غير ذلك من حالات سوء السلوك وجب على صاحب العمل أداء نفقات العلاج, على أن يكون له خصمها مما يستحقه البحار من أجر. وينقضي التزام صاحب العمل بعلاج البحار إذا تبين أن الجرح أو المرض غير قابل للشفاء.
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 130 explained in plain English
This article governs the seafarer's right to treatment if he suffers a wound or illness while in the ship's service.
First: the rule. The employer must treat the seafarer free of charge.
Second: disobedience or misconduct. If the wound or illness results from disobedience or other cases of misconduct, the employer also pays the treatment costs, but may deduct them from the wages due to the seafarer. Treatment does not stop, but the seafarer ultimately bears its cost.
Third: the end of the obligation. The employer's obligation to treat the seafarer ends if it is established that the wound or illness is incurable.
Note that the provision is limited to injury or illness during service on the ship. Article 131 complements these provisions as to wages: a seafarer injured or ill in the ship's service is entitled to his full wage during the voyage, unless it arose from disobedience or misconduct. Article 129 provides that a seafarer's wage may not be attached except within the limits of the labor law. A seafarer refused treatment is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime law.
Practical example
A seafarer injures his hand while tying up the ship's ropes in the port of Yanbu. The employer must treat him free of charge. If the injury resulted from a fight the seafarer started in breach of orders, the employer pays the costs and then deducts them from his wage.
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 130 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Who bears the treatment of an injured seafarer?
The employer, free of charge, if the seafarer is injured or falls ill while in the ship's service.
Is treatment deducted from the seafarer's wage?
Only if the wound or illness resulted from disobedience or misconduct, in which case the employer pays the costs and then deducts them from the wage.
When does the employer's duty to treat end?
If it is established that the wound or illness is incurable.
More articles on Maritime Employment Contract and Seafarer Rights
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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.