Saudi Red Sea Authority outlines recreational boat chartering requirements

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has revealed the requirements and conditions for recreational boat chartering, as it seeks to regulate coastal tourism activities, strengthen safety standards and protect the marine environment.

This move contributes to the region’s development of the coastal tourism sector in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 project.

Saudi boat chartering

The rules set out the terms for chartering recreational boats to visitors and tourists in Saudi territorial waters in the Red Sea. Any operator may offer the service once it has obtained an official licence from the Saudi Red Sea Authority and meets the prescribed standards for quality, safety and marine environmental protection.

A Marine Activities Operator Licence is required for the company or establishment responsible for managing and operating the boats. In addition, a Tourism Charter Licence must be obtained separately for each boat after it has passed an on-site technical inspection conducted by an accredited company and fulfilled all requirements. Licences are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed upon application, subject to a review of the operator’s compliance record and the quality of the services provided.

Operators are required to provide visitors with comprehensive safety instructions before each trip and to maintain a written emergency plan in both Arabic and English covering fires, collisions and other marine incidents. Operators must also consider sea and weather conditions and the boat’s speed and passenger capacity, refrain from sailing in unsuitable conditions, and take all necessary precautions to ensure visitors’ safety during boarding and disembarking and throughout the trip. In addition, operators must maintain insurance coverage to protect visitors and the marine environment against any potential harm.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia announced it was expanding its Red Sea yachting infrastructure with a new network connecting Amaala and Shura marinas.

Regarding the rights of visitors and beneficiaries, the rules guarantee visitors the right to review the full details of a trip before completing a booking, including its duration, route, departure and return points, and the activities provided. Operators must fully disclose prices, cancellation terms and refund policies, and may not charge any fees or amounts that were not disclosed in advance. Where required by the nature of the trip, operators must also provide an appropriate means of communication for beneficiaries who do not speak Arabic and communicate with them in a manner that enhances the quality of their experience. Operators must in all cases establish a clear mechanism for receiving and addressing complaints effectively.

The rules also consider the needs of persons with disabilities. Operators are required to clearly disclose the extent to which their boats and services are suitable for differently-abled users and to specify the assistance available.

To preserve the Red Sea’s marine environment, operators are required to adopt operating practices that protect coral reefs and marine biodiversity, raise visitors’ awareness of environmentally responsible behavior and operate only within the marine destinations and areas approved by the Authority.

The requirements and conditions for recreational boat chartering will enter into force 180 days after the date of publication.

According to the Saudi Red Sea Authority, these steps give it a regulatory body role for coastal tourism activities and reflects its commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable marine tourism experience befitting the Red Sea’s standing as a leading global tourism destination. It also advances the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy, developing coastal destinations and investing in the Kingdom’s natural assets.