Article 252 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 252 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The article makes the sea cruise organizer liable to compensate for harm to the participant or the participant's baggage during performance of the contract, and subjects this liability to the provisions of the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُسأل منظم الرحلة عن تعويض الضرر الذي يصيب المشترك أو أمتعته أثناء تنفيذ عقد الرحلات البحرية السياحية، وتسري على هذه المسؤولية الأحكام المنصوص عليها في النظام.
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 252 explained in plain English
This article provides that the organizer of a sea cruise for tourism is liable to compensate for harm that affects:
- The participant personally, or
- The participant's baggage,
where the harm occurs during performance of the contract for sea cruises for tourism. The liability is tied to the period of performance.
The article does not lay down special rules for this liability, but refers to the provisions set out in the Law. It does not specify which provisions of the Law apply in each case, as that depends on the nature of the harm and its circumstances.
Note that the article does not limit liability to bodily injury, but covers any harm to the participant or the participant's baggage, provided it occurs during performance of the contract. Harm that occurs before performance begins or after it ends is not within the wording of this article.
The benefit to the participant is that the participant may direct the claim to the trip organizer itself, in addition to what Article 251 obliges it to do in giving the participant the trip ticket and the booklet of vouchers for services ashore. To assess the right to compensation in a particular incident, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law and compensation.
Practical example
Ahmed was injured during a sea cruise organized by a company in Jeddah, and some of his baggage was damaged. The trip organizer is liable to compensate for this harm because it occurred during performance of the cruise contract, and the provisions of the Commercial Maritime Law apply to its liability.
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 252 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is the sea cruise organizer liable for my injury?
Yes. The trip organizer is liable to compensate for harm that affects the participant or the participant's baggage during performance of the contract for sea cruises for tourism.
What rules govern this liability?
The provisions set out in the Commercial Maritime Law apply; the article did not lay down special rules for it.
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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.