The inspection, maintenance, repair, and re-licensing regulation for marine rescue equipment imposes a fine of 5,000 riyals for conducting activities without a license, after its expiration, changing the location of the activity or its legal entity, or transferring the license without the approval of the Transport Authority. The fine can reach 10,000 riyals for obstructing or hindering service inspectors or classification experts.

The Ministry of Transport has approved the regulation, which requires establishments to obtain a license from the authority, employ certified technicians, provide equipment and manufacturer instructions, and implement a quality system compliant with the latest ISO 9000 standards. The license is issued for a period of 3 years, and the technician's card is also valid for 3 years and is renewable.

The regulation obliges establishments to obtain a branch license for each branch and prohibits conducting activities after the license has expired or been canceled, or during a suspension period, with the possibility of renewing it for a similar duration, provided that the application is submitted 90 days before its expiration and that fees and due fines are paid. Renewal requests will not be accepted if more than 30 days have passed since the license expired.

The regulation allows for the transfer of the license with prior approval from the authority, provided that the transferee meets the licensing requirements and pays the dues, while the transferring establishment remains responsible until the license transfer is completed and the activity equipment is transferred within 60 days of approval.

The authority is permitted to revoke the license in several cases, including providing incorrect data or documents, bankruptcy or dissolution and liquidation of the establishment, transferring the license without approval, failing to correct violations within 15 days, or modifying the legal entity without prior approval, in addition to not meeting the technical requirements and equipment according to the International Maritime Organization's decisions, or if the public interest requires it.

Establishments are required to carry out inspection, maintenance, and repair work according to the International Maritime Organization's decisions and manufacturer instructions, use original or approved spare parts, periodically calibrate inspection tools and equipment, and maintain records and data for no less than 5 years and make them available to the authority or authorized classification bodies.

The regulation also prohibits conducting any activity on equipment that has been withdrawn from service or has undergone major modifications that changed its classification without the authority's approval, holding the establishment responsible for any damages resulting from conducting the activity, including errors made by its employees, while obliging it to maintain the confidentiality of information and cooperate with the authority in all matters related to maritime safety.

Penalties include a fine of 5,000 riyals for failing to meet quality requirements, providing incorrect data and documents, failing to maintain records, or Saudi ships using foreign establishments in violation of the regulation, in addition to imposing the same fine on any worker who does not hold a technician card, and 5,000 riyals for each obligation not fulfilled by the establishment as specified in the regulation.

Legal Advisor to "Okaz": Comprehensive Details for Activity Governance

Legal advisor Abdulaziz bin Dubshi explained to "Okaz" that the regulation will be implemented after 3 months, and the legal article includes comprehensive details for the governance mechanism of the established activity, specifying the authority's main license duration for establishments as three years, linking its continuation throughout that period to the commitment to provide a legal headquarters and valid professional insurance against risks and technical errors that may affect the vessels.

He added: The regulation completely prohibits technicians from carrying out inspection and maintenance work without obtaining an approved technician card from the authority, which remains valid for three years, granting the authority the power to revoke or suspend it immediately if incorrect reports are submitted or if technical negligence in maintaining the equipment is proven.

He stated that the regulation emphasizes quality standards and obliges companies to strictly follow the International Maritime Organization's decisions and refrain from using non-original spare parts.