Regulations and Procedures for the Design and Operation of Tourist Marine Marinas

Article 1: Definitions

  • The terms and phrases mentioned below - wherever they appear in these regulations and procedures - shall have the meanings specified next to each, unless the context requires otherwise:

  • The Kingdom: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

  • The Authority: The Saudi Authority for the Red Sea.

  • Regulatory Regulation: The regulatory regulation for the design and operation of tourist marine berths.

  • Regulations and Procedures: The regulations and procedures for the design and operation of tourist marine berths.

  • Geographical Scope: The territorial sea belonging to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, where navigational and marine activities are conducted, and the portion of land associated with the conduct of those activities; excluding military and security areas and others within them.

  • Unified Platform: A government platform affiliated with the Saudi Authority for the Red Sea that provides services for permits and licenses related to coastal tourism.

  • Marine Vessels: Any floating means prepared to operate above or below water surfaces used for tourism or recreational purposes, and the appurtenances of the marine vessel necessary for its exploitation are considered part of it.

  • Visiting Yacht: A yacht that flies the flag of a foreign country, regardless of its type and size, which visits and navigates within the geographical scope for the purpose of tourism, maintenance, refueling, obtaining supplies, or participating in marine exhibitions.

  • Tourist Marine Berth: The area used for the stopping or mooring of the marine vessel within the geographical scope.

  • Berth Operator: The legal entity licensed by the Authority that organizes and operates the daily activities of the tourist marine berth.

  • Tourist Marine Berth Construction License: A written approval issued by the Authority that enables its holder to construct a tourist marine berth according to the berth design that complies with the approved planning and design code for tourist marine berths issued by the Authority.

  • Marine Berth Operator License: A written approval issued by the Authority that enables its holder to engage in the operation of a tourist marine berth.

  • Beneficiaries of the Berth: Tourists, visitors, and crew of marine vessels who use the facilities of the berth.

  • Berth Management System: The systems of tourist marine berth operators concerning the following matters:

    • A- Safety and Environmental Management System.

    • B- Emergency Management System.

    • C- Communication Management System.

    • D- Berth Inspection and Maintenance Management System.

    • E- Security Management System.

    • F- Other systems specialized in organizing berth management.

  • Navigational Aids: The signs and systems designed to enhance the safe and effective navigation of marine vessels entering and exiting the berth within the geographical scope.

  • Tourist Marine Vessel Register: The register maintained by the berth operator for three (3) years to record details of all tourist marine vessels to the berth.

  • Water Sports: Refers to small or personal watercraft or accessories on the yacht used for recreational purposes.

Article 2: Objective

  • The purpose of these regulations and procedures is to clarify the provisions of the regulatory regulation for the design and operation of tourist marinas, and to organize and manage the activities and tasks of marina operators to provide the essential standards related to security, health, safety, and the environment required from marina operators.

Article 3: Scope of Application

  • These regulations and procedures apply to all those wishing to construct, design, and operate tourist marinas within the geographical scope and to all beneficiaries of the marinas, in accordance with the regulatory bylaws and related instructions.

Article 4: Requirements for Licensing a Tourist Marine Marina

  • 1- Those wishing to design and build a tourist marina must have a license issued by the authority for the marine area in the marina.

  • 2- The process of issuing a license to build a tourist marina is done by submitting an application through the Baladi platform and attaching clear copies of the documents in Arabic, which are:

    • A- A valid commercial register issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the Kingdom that includes the activity to be practiced, and the commercial register of the parent company if the application is made by a branch of the company.

    • B- A valid investment license issued by the Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom or from any other governmental entity (as applicable) such as the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (in case the establishment is foreign or mixed).

    • C- A contract between the investor and the design engineering office.

    • D- A contract between the investor and the supervising engineering office.

    • E- The surveying decision.

    • F- The project design.

    • G- The general plan for the project.

    • H- The timeline for project implementation.

    • I- A study of the project's capacity.

    • J- A set of files for architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sewage, fire safety, rescue, communications, and waste management designs.

  • 3- Fulfillment of all requirements from relevant authorities, including: the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the General Directorate of Border Guard, and the Ministry of Energy in case of a fuel station.

  • 4- Submission of other requirements deemed necessary by the authority to obtain the license.

Article 5: Conditions for Licensing the Construction of a Tourist Marine Marina (Marine Area)

  • 1- Preparation of the site inspection report (survey information, study of digital models, site visit, site conditions, waves, water levels).

  • 2- Ensuring the design foundations are compatible with the client's requirements (project lifespan and structures, payback period, building sustainability standards, building design standards).

  • 3- Compatibility of the marina design with the approved Planning and Design Code for Tourist Marinas issued by the Saudi Red Sea Authority.

  • 4- Availability of a comprehensive economic feasibility study for the establishment of a tourist marina.

  • 5- Preparation of the environmental, economic, and social impact assessment.

  • 6- Availability of a report on structural designs (dock walls, rock protection, wave breaker, infrastructure).

  • 7- Creation of navigation and slope plans (shelf level, lengths, and slopes).

  • 8- Compliance with marina dimensions (demonstrating the availability of sufficient spaces for docking, maneuvering, and movement).

  • 9- Preparation of marina drawings and lengths (foundations, structures, service facilities, basin dimensions).

  • 10- Provision of ground service facilities (parking, offices, restrooms, security rooms...).

  • 11- Provision of ground services (water, electricity, sewage, internet, lighting...).

  • 12- Compliance with the efficiency standards of floating platforms and other supplied elements.

  • 13- Submission of a design risk assessment (risks mitigated during the design process, and remaining risks evident in the plans).

  • 14- Availability of an emergency management plan, security, health, and safety with associated equipment for each.

  • 15- Submission of strategic initiatives in the field of sustainability. (Optional).

  • 16- Submission of an operation and maintenance manual. (Optional).

Article 6: Requirements for Licensing a Tourist Marina Operator

  • 1- The operator of the tourist marina wishing to operate the marina must have a valid license issued by the Authority, after fulfilling all the requirements and procedures related to the service.

  • 2- The process of issuing a tourist marina operator license is done by submitting a claim through the unified platform by filling out the form and attaching clear copies of the documents in Arabic, which are:

    • ‌A- A valid investment license issued by the Ministry of Investment or other relevant authorities such as the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority of the Kingdom (in case the establishment is foreign or mixed).

    • ‌B- A valid commercial register issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the Kingdom that includes the activity to be practiced, and the commercial register of the parent company in case the application is for a branch of the company.

    • C- A valid insurance document that must include the minimum insurance for the establishment and liability towards third parties to protect against potential damages arising from the operations of the marina.

    • D- A certificate from an accredited third party, proving the entity's compliance with the basic cybersecurity controls issued by the National Cybersecurity Authority.

  • 3- The Authority has the right to add or cancel any of the eligibility criteria or required documents for the marina operator license application based on its assessment of the applicant.

  • 4- The following documents must also be available and provided to the Authority during the inspection phase, such as:

    • A- Health certificates.

    • B- List of employees.

    • C- Marina policies.

    • D- Marina management system.

    • E- Insurance document for the marina establishment.

Article 7: Conditions for Licensing a Tourist Marina Operator

  • 1- Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom, including the regulations, requirements, and controls of the National Center for Environmental Compliance, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, in addition to compliance with international maritime agreements and standards.

  • 2- The facility must have a mooring management system.

  • 3- Obligation to protect the environment and promote sustainable development, including compliance with the requirements of the National Center for Waste Management, and navigation and mooring procedures.

Article 8: Management of Health, Safety, and Environment

  • 1- The marina operator must ensure that clear and accessible systems are in place for marina users regarding the process of reporting a maritime incident in accordance with these regulations and procedures.

  • 2- The captain of the marine vessel must ensure that the marina operator is notified immediately in the event of a maritime incident occurring within the marina.

  • 3- The marina operator must report the maritime incident to the authority immediately.

  • 4- The authority may participate in the investigation of the maritime incident or audit it, or conduct the investigation itself, or delegate a third party to carry out the investigations, without any prior approval from the marina operator. In all cases, the authority may conduct investigations, even if the marina operator has not been notified of the maritime incident, and it may carry out any investigations without notifying the marina operator.

  • 5- The marina operator, under the supervision of official authorities, must initiate an investigation into the maritime incident within the marina's jurisdiction in accordance with the following procedures:

    • A- Notify all relevant staff of the incident, and the investigator must inform the relevant department in the marina operator and the authority.

    • B- Collect data on the maritime incident and ensure the accuracy of the reported details and summary.

    • ت- Classify the maritime incident to identify the severity of the incident and any resulting losses, if any.

    • ث- Determine the primary cause of the maritime incident.

    • C- Recommendations for developing, amending, or enhancing marina management systems or health, safety, and environmental management systems.

    • H- Complete the investigation report and send it to the authority.

  • 6- If the maritime incident requires a response from the emergency team, the investigation must not interfere with the emergency team's response mission. If the investigation can begin simultaneously without interfering with or delaying the emergency team's mission, data collection can be conducted in parallel.

  • 7- The marina operator must maintain a record of maritime incident reports and investigations for five (5) years from the date of the maritime incident. The authority has the right to audit the investigation process for any maritime incident to ensure compliance with the main law and regulations and procedures.

  • 8- The marina operator must maintain a record of marine vessels for three (3) years from the date of the visiting yacht's arrival. The marine vessel record must include the following details:

    • A- Date of entry and exit of the marine vessel.

    • B- Name of the visiting vessel's captain and crew members, including their personal information (i.e., identification documents, contact information, etc.).

    • ت- A copy of the licenses and certificates of the visiting marine vessel.

  • 9- The marina operator must ensure the marine vessel's seaworthiness before leaving the marina.

  • 10- If it is determined that the marine vessel is unseaworthy, the marina operator must prevent the marine vessel from exiting or entering the marina until the marine vessel is fully repaired and returned to a seaworthy condition.

  • 11- The marina operator is fully responsible for verifying the process of embarking and disembarking passengers/crew at the marina to ensure compliance with the passenger/crew list mentioned in the permit. This is to prevent trespassing and encroachment on others' property. The authority must be notified immediately of any discrepancies in the passenger/crew list and to the General Directorate of Border Guard.

  • 12- The marina operator is fully responsible for verifying the availability and validity of the necessary permits before the marine vessels set sail.

  • 13- Marina users must adhere to best environmental practices, including preventing marine pollution and minimizing environmental risks associated with the marine vessel.

  • 14- The discharge of any waste, including sewage, waste, and oily substances, is strictly prohibited within the geographical area. Marina users must have appropriate waste management systems by retaining and disposing of waste in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations in the Kingdom.

  • 15- Marina users must maintain a safe distance from sensitive marine habitats, coral reefs, and protected marine areas within the geographical area to prevent any potential damage.

Article 9: Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

  • The applicant for a building permit and/or an operator of a tourist marina must comply with the relevant regulations, controls, and procedures.

Article 10: Emergency Management System

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