Saudi Arabia’s first-ever rule for Saudi boats within the geographical scope has been published by the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA). This regulation controls the operations of yachts, describes the essential standards and conditions, and monitors the granting of licenses and permits for tourist and leisure activities.
As a crucial component of the SRSA’s role in the development of a sustainable coastal tourist industry, it also guarantees the preservation of the environment, the maintenance of sustainability, and the fulfillment of all safety criteria.
The issuance of the new regulation is in accordance with the mandate of the SRSA, which includes the issuance of necessary licenses and permits, the establishment of service standards and regulations for coastal tourism activities, the guarantee of marine environmental protection in the Red Sea, and the encouragement of practitioners and enthusiasts. All of these things will contribute to the improvement of user experiences and the advancement of the maturity of the coastal tourism sector.
Yacht owners or approved tourist marine agents are needed to meet certain requirements in order to comply with the regulations that pertain to Saudi yachts. These regulations include the conditions and processes for obtaining technical licenses (for leisure tourism).
In addition to this, it provides an outline of the conditions that must be met in order to obtain a tourism chartering license. These conditions include the presence of a licensed maritime tourism agent or yacht management company, a signed contract between the agent and the charterer, and the fulfillment of the requirements for a secure access from the marina to the yacht. Additionally, the yacht must have a safety guide on board that is specifically designed for tourism chartering.
In addition, the legislation details the processes and prerequisites that must be met in order to get a permit for a tourist trip inside the waters of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. These criteria include the submission of obligatory documents, which includes a list of passengers’ information, sailing routes, and a chartering contract.
As far as water toys are concerned, the legislation requires that the appropriate permissions and licenses be obtained for activities such as recreational fishing, diving, and other similar pursuits.
It is necessary to have a detailed response plan that outlines rescue and first aid protocols, a clear use guide for water activities, the availability of life jackets, and activities that are specifically designed for children.
Furthermore, the legislation stipulates the issuance of the necessary permits, the provision of requirements for yacht chartering, and the guarantee that all safety and environmental protection measures are adhered to on board.
In addition to this, it places an emphasis on the rights of those who are disabled, the preservation of the maritime environment via the reduction of the use of plastic and the prevention of pollution, the observance of safe navigation norms, and the guarantee that charterers will comply with the specifications of their contracts.
In the meanwhile, the start of the SRSA awareness campaign “More Than a Sea” coincides with the publication of the new legislation governing the organization.
As a result of this, the Authority emphasizes the responsibilities it plays in the development of a successful coastal tourist industry. It does this by establishing the policies, strategies, plans, programs, and initiatives that are required for the regulation of navigational and marine tourism operations, as well as by providing licenses and permits.