Saudi Arabia
- Who issues it
- المديرية العامة لحرس الحدود [General Directorate of Border Guards] for recreational licences; الهيئة العامة للنقل [Transport General Authority], Maritime Transport Sector, for professional certificates.
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
A valid Border Guard licence is required to drive marine-activity craft, including recreational boats. Private jet-ski users need a separate licence and must be over 16 and able to swim, except for Ministry of Sport supervised use. No power, length or speed exemption was confirmed.
رخصة قيادة موتورسيكل بحري · Personal watercraft driving licence
- What it lets you do
- Private jet skis; users must be over 16 and able to swim. Ministry of Sport supervised use is excepted.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
رخصة قيادة الواسطة البحرية · Marine craft driving licence
- What it lets you do
- For recreational marine craft; non-owners need formal authorisation or a power of attorney from the owner.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
بحار نوبة ملاحية
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- Rating forming part of a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
بحار سطح متمرس
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- Able seafarer in the deck department.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
ربان / ضابط ملاحة مناوب
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Master or navigational watch officer on ships under 500 GT making near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
ضابط ملاحة مناوب
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Navigational watch officer on ships of at least 500 GT, or under 500 GT on voyages beyond near-coastal limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
ضابط أول
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate on ships of at least 500 GT, or under 500 GT on voyages beyond near-coastal limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
ربان
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master on ships of at least 500 GT, or under 500 GT on voyages beyond near-coastal limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
الشهادة العامة في تشغيل النظام العالمي للاستغاثة والسلامة البحرية
GOC- What it lets you do
- General operator qualification for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
The Academy is free with an account: lessons for every topic, timed mocks marked like the real exam, and your progress saved.
Official sources: General Directorate of Border Guards — Security and Safety Regulations for Marine Activities, Articles 23 and 36 · Umm Al-Qura Official Gazette — Minimum Safe Manning Regulations, Article 9 · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions, Publication 160, Saudi Arabia: Buoyage System