Article 369 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 369 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: الإرشاد البحري
The article requires a ship subject to pilotage to raise the signal requesting a pilot before entering, moving in or leaving the pilotage area, and the master to inform the pilot of the ship's particulars, posted in the wheelhouse.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على كل سفينة خاضعة لقواعد الإرشاد أن ترفع على ساريتها الإشارة الخاصة بطلب المرشد قبل دخولها منطقة الإرشاد أو تحركها فيها أو خروجها منها.
2- على ربان السفينة إبلاغ المرشد بالمعلومات التي تتعلق بغاطسها وطولها وعرضها، وبقدرة سفينته على المناورة في حالات الغاطس والسرعات المختلفة, على أن تكون هذه البيانات موضوعة في مكان واضح بغرفة القيادة.
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 369 explained in plain English
This article sets the duties of a ship subject to the pilotage rules and its master:
1. The signal requesting a pilot (paragraph 1): every ship subject to the pilotage rules must raise on its mast the signal for requesting a pilot, before:
- entering the pilotage area, or
- moving in it, or
- leaving it.
2. Informing the pilot of the particulars (paragraph 2): the ship's master must inform the pilot of the information on:
- The ship's draft, length and breadth.
- Its ability to maneuver at different drafts and speeds.
These particulars must be posted in a clear place in the wheelhouse.
The practical purpose is that the pilot needs to know the ship's characteristics in order to do his work safely. The article does not specify the form of the signal. Article 368 makes pilotage compulsory in the Kingdom's ports for all ships with specified exceptions, and leaves its rules to the competent body. Article 370 provides that command and management of the ship remain with the master while the pilot carries out his work on board.
Practical example
A container ship is preparing to enter King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. Its master must raise on the mast the signal requesting a pilot before entering the pilotage area, and inform the pilot, when he boards, of the ship's draft, length, breadth and maneuvering ability, with these particulars posted in a clear place in the wheelhouse.
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 369 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
When does a ship raise the signal requesting a pilot?
Before entering the pilotage area, moving in it or leaving it.
What information does the master give the pilot?
The ship's draft, length, breadth and its ability to maneuver at different drafts and speeds, posted in a clear place in the wheelhouse.
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على الربان أن يتولى بنفسه قيادة السفينة عند دخولها الموانئ، أو خروجها منها أو أثناء اجتياز الممرات البحرية، وكذلك في جميع الأحوال التي تعترض الملاحة عقبات خاصة،
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تترتب المسؤولية المنصوص عليها في هذا الفصل, إذا وقع التصادم بخطأ المرشد، ولو كان الإرشاد إجباريًّا، وذلك مع عدم الإخلال بالقواعد العامة في المسؤولية.
- Article 261
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1- كل عمل من أعمال الإنقاذ البحري يعطي الحق في مكافأة بشرط أن يؤدي إلى نتيجة مفيدة، ولا يجوز أن تتجاوز المكافأة قيمة ما أُنقذ. 2- إذا لم تؤدِّ أعمال الإنقاذ إلى
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لا تستحق أي مكافأة للإنقاذ البحري أو النفقات التابعة له في الحالات الآتية: 1- إذا كانت السفينة التي قدمت لها أعمال الإنقاذ البحري قد رفضت تدخل السفينة المقدمة ل
- Article 291
The article requires the competent authority, on a written request from any state, to investigate any violation of the international pollution prevention rules allegedly committed by a Saudi ship in that state's maritime zones, and to notify it of the result.
تجري الجهة المختصة تحقيقاً بناء على طلب مكتوب من أي دولة, في أي مخالفة للقواعد الدولية المطبقة من أجل منع تلوث البيئة البحرية يدَّعى أن سفينة سعودية ارتكبتها في
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The article requires ships carrying oil from or to the Kingdom to carry a civil liability insurance certificate covering liability for any damage arising from the carriage.
تلتزم السفن التي تنقل الزيت من المملكة أو إليها بحمل شهادة تأمين المسؤولية المدنية؛ لتغطية ما قد ينشأ من مسؤولية عن أي ضرر ناشئ عن عملية النقل.
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.