Article 238 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 238 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier must be notified in writing of a bodily injury within fifteen days of the passenger leaving the ship; otherwise the passenger is presumed to have left uninjured unless proved otherwise.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
في حالة الإصابة البدنية يجب إبلاغ الناقل كتابة بالإصابة خلال خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ مغادرة الراكب السفينة، وإلا افترض أنه غادرها دون إصابة، ما لم يثبت الراكب غير ذلك.
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 238 explained in plain English
This article imposes a duty to report a bodily injury and sets its time limit:
- Form: notify the carrier in writing.
- Time limit: fifteen days from the date the passenger leaves the ship.
Consequence of not notifying: if the carrier is not notified within the time limit, the passenger is presumed to have left the ship uninjured.
But this presumption is rebuttable: unless the passenger proves otherwise. The right is not lost by missing the deadline, but the passenger then has to prove that the injury occurred on the ship.
Note that the article speaks only of bodily injury and does not mention death.
The practical result: a passenger who is injured on the ship should notify the carrier in writing within the time limit, so as not to bear the burden of proving the injury later.
It is preceded by Article 237, which makes void advance agreements exempting the carrier or altering the burden of proof. It is followed by Article 239, which makes the carrier liable for harm arising from delay in performing its obligations unless it proves the delay is due to an external cause. An injured passenger is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation without delay.
Practical example
Mona injured her back on a ferry and left the ship on 1 June. She must notify the carrier in writing of the injury before 16 June, failing which she is presumed to have left uninjured and must prove otherwise.
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 238 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
How long do I have to notify the carrier of my injury on the ship?
Fifteen days from the date you leave the ship, and the notice must be in writing.
What happens if I do not notify within the time limit?
You are presumed to have left the ship uninjured, unless you prove otherwise.
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1- يثبت عقد نقل الأشخاص بحراً بمحرر يسمى تذكرة السفر، يذكر فيها على وجه خاص: أ- اسم الناقل, واسم الراكب, وجنسيته. ب- تاريخ إصدار تذكرة السفر. ج- اسم السفينة, وج
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- Article 229
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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.