Article 242 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 242 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The carrier is liable for the death or injury of a passenger carried free of charge, and damage to baggage, if the accident occurred during the carriage period under the Athens Convention and was due to fraud, deliberate fault or gross negligence.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون الناقل مسؤولاً عن الوفاة أو الإصابة البدنية للراكب الذي يُنقَل مجاناً, وعن أي خسارة أو ضرر يلحق بأمتعته, إذا وقع الحادث الذي نشأت عنه الوفاة أو الإصابة خلال مدة النقل الواردة في اتفاقية أثينا, وكان بسبب غش, أو خطأ عمدي, أو إهمال شديد, من الناقل أو تابعيه أو وكلائه أثناء الخدمة.
2- تسري أحكام الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة على الأشخاص الذين يوافق الناقل على نقلهم بصفتهم مرافقين لحيوان حي, أو لشيء آخر ينقله بمقتضى عقد نقل بضائع.
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 242 explained in plain English
This article regulates the carrier's liability toward a passenger carried free of charge, that is, without a fare. Under Article 1, a contract of carriage by sea is in principle for a fee, so this article states the rule for a person carried without consideration.
The carrier is liable for:
- The death or bodily injury of this passenger.
- Any loss of or damage to the passenger's baggage.
This is subject to two conditions together:
- The accident that gave rise to the death or injury occurred during the period of carriage specified in the Athens Convention.
- The accident was due to fraud, deliberate fault or gross negligence on the part of the carrier or its servants or agents in the course of service.
Ordinary, simple fault is therefore not sufficient, on the wording of the article, to give rise to this liability toward the free passenger; one of the three descriptions mentioned is required.
Paragraph 2 extends the same rule to persons whom the carrier agrees to carry accompanying a live animal or other thing that it carries under a contract for the carriage of goods, such as someone accompanying a consignment of livestock. Article 241 allows the carrier's agents and servants to rely on its defenses if they prove that the act occurred in the course of, or by reason of, their duties. When an accident of this kind occurs, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation.
Practical example
A merchant from Jazan shipped livestock on a ship, and the carrier agreed that a worker would accompany them to look after them without paying a fare. The worker was injured during the voyage because of gross negligence by one of the ship's sailors, so the carrier is liable for the injury under this article, provided the accident occurred during the carriage period specified in the Athens Convention.
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 242 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is a passenger who travels on a ship free of charge compensated?
Yes. The carrier is liable for death or injury and for damage to baggage if the accident occurred during the carriage period under the Athens Convention and was due to fraud, deliberate fault or gross negligence of the carrier or its servants or agents in the course of service.
Is simple fault enough for the carrier's liability toward a free passenger?
The article requires that the accident be due to fraud, deliberate fault or gross negligence.
Who else is treated as a free passenger?
Persons whom the carrier agrees to carry accompanying a live animal or other thing that it carries under a contract for the carriage of goods.
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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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يلتزم الناقل بإعداد السفينة وتجهيزها بما يلزم لتكون صالحة للملاحة ولتنفيذ السفر المتفق عليه. ويلتزم كذلك بإبقاء السفينة على هذه الحال طوال مدة السفر, وأن يوفر ا
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- Article 229
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إذا توفي الراكب أو قام مانع يحول دون سفره فسخ العقد واسترجعت الأجرة كاملة, بشرط أن يبلغ الراكب أو ورثته الناقل بذلك قبل الميعاد المعين للسفر بوقت مناسب وفق ما ت
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.