• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

• Individuals practicing marine sports or driving marine crafts.
• Company owners operating maritime activities in Dubai.

Upon receiving and reviewing required documents, the maritime activity permit shall be issued by the free zone or private development zone for one month as of date of issue.

Upon receiving and reviewing required documents, the maritime activity permit shall be issued by the free zone or private development zone for one month as of date of issue.

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Marine Activity Permits in Free Zones and Private Development Zones

DMCA shall issue annual permits to practice maritime activities in free zones or private development zones upon submittal of all documents required through one single stage.

Maritime Activity Permit Issuance

The facility owner shall apply for maritime activity permit for a new license after obtaining the initial approval from the Free Zone Authority and reserving the trade name, or if he wishes to add a maritime activity to an existing license.

Required Documents:

1. Copy of initial approval for new license issuance, or addition of new maritime activity to the existing license issued by the free zone management or private development zones.
2. Copy of the existing free zone license (in case of adding maritime actvity.)
3. Copy of valid branch license issued by Department of Economic Development.

Maritime Activity Permit Renewal

The facility owner shall apply for maritime activity permit renewal before the expiry of the maritime license. Once all requirement have been completed, the maritime activity permit shall be issued through one single stage.

Required Documents:

1. Request letter for maritime activity permit renewal.
2. Copy of valid existing free zone commercial license.
3. Copy of valid branch DED license.

Marine Craft Inspection Facility Licensing

Through licensing marine crafts inspection facilities, DMCA aims to inspect small cargo marine crafts of no classification by international classification institutions, to measure their cargo and dimensions in accordance with the internationally adopted measurement systems, and assess its hull and motors, define safety and firefighting equipment, as well as navigational, communication and anti-pollution equipment, then issue permits to practice one or more of the following activities:

1. Follow up on the marine craft registration and licensing procedures with DMCA.
2. Follow up on the marine craft crew licenses with DMCA.
3. Conduct technical inspection of marine crafts as determined by DMCA.
4. Prepare comprehensive report on the marine craft condition for registration and licensing.
5. Provide marine crafts with tools and equipment necessary for operating or safe sailing them.
6. Prepare the balance manual for marine crafts as determined by DMCA.

Maritime Inspection Report

The inspection report is for registration and licensing purposes and shall include, without limitation, the marine craft condition in terms of:

1. Details of marine craft and crew.
2. Soundness of marine craft hull and motors.
3. Soundness of navigational and communication equipment.
4. Soundness of safety and rescue equipment
5. Soundness of fire detection and firefighting equipment.
6. Any other equipment requested by DMCA.

Stages of Permit Issuance:

Upon meeting all requirements, the permit for the marine craft inspection facility shall be issued in two stages:

1. Submittal of all required documents for initial approval.
2. Booking an appointment for site visit and paying the set fees for license issuance.

First Stage: initial approval

Upon reviewing the application, the initial approval for the activity will be issued, and facility owner shall be allowed to complete licensing procedures once he presents an undertaking to refrain from actual practice of the activity until all requirements have been met.

Required Documents:

1. Copy of Emirates ID card and passport for UAE nationals, and copy of Emirates ID card, passport and valid residence visa for expatriates providing that the applicant is not less than (22) years old.
2. Copy of initial approval from Department of Economic Development or Free Zone Authorities to practice the activity in the emirate.
3. acility location, specifications and equipment along with statement of activities the facility wishes to practice.
4. A statement that includes names, qualifications and experience of the facility employees as well as scientific, professional and maritime certificates.
5. Copy of the organisational structure of the facility and its branches, (if any).

Upon reviewing all submitted documents, DMCA shall issue the initial approval for practicing the activity if all conditions have been satisfied, and allow facility owner to complete commercial licensing procedures with the competent authorities in the emirate.

Second Stage: final approval

The owner shall notify DMCA upon completion of procedures required to practice the activity in no more than one year from initial approval issuance date, in order for DMCA employees to conduct a site visit for inspection, so that they can make sure the facility is ready and competent for operation. In case all license requirements have been fully met, DMCA shall issues the final approval allowing the facility to practice the activity, as well as the license in coordination with the competent authorities.

Maritime Inspection Report Requirements:

1. Provide not less than two maritime inspectors; one with a maritime engineering degree awhile the other holds a certificate in maritime navigation.
2. Provide not less than two administrators, depending on the volume of work conducted by the facility.
3. The facility shall have international quality certificate or undertake to obtain one within one year from date of licensing by DMCA.
4. List of rendered services including costs to be approved by DMCA.
5. Copy of technical reports to be used for marine craft inspection.

In case the applicant fails to satisfy all requirements for practicing the activity, or has not completed the shortfalls required within the deadline stated in this Article, the initial approval shall be cancelled, and DMCA shall notify the commercial licensing authorities to cancel the commercial license issued for inspecting the facility.

Obligations of Marine Craft Inspection Facilities

Licensed facilities shall adhere to the following:

1. Provide all equipment and devices required for maritime inspection operation.
2. Maritime crafts shall be provided only with certified safety equipment in accordance with international specifications.
3. Shall not hire any maritime inspector unless he holds the required maritime qualifications, has sufficient experience in this field and registered with DMCA.
4. Approve or use DMCA checklists for marine craft inspection.
5. Marine craft inspection copies along with the technical inspection report shall be documented on the same day of the inspection report.
6. Provide records that include all details pertaining to maritime inspection and keep them for not less than three (3) years. DMCA shall have the right to access or request copies of such records.

Maritime Inspectors Certification Requirements

Maritime inspectors shall be certified under the following:

1. To be fully competent and shall not be less than (22) twenty-two years old.
2. To hold certificate in maritime navigation or engineering.
3. To be familiar with laws and regulations valid in the emirate, as well as registration and licensing procedures along with the technical inspection requirements applicable by DMCA.
4. To have good conduct and with no previous conviction in a crime or felony involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.
5. To be medically fit.
6. To successfully pass all tests, training programs and interviews determined by DMCA.
7. To hold one of the following qualifications:

• Senior maritime captain or senior marine engineer certificate.
• First marine officer or second marine engineer certificate with no less than two years’ experience.
• Second marine officer or third marine engineer certificate with no less than three years’ experience.
• Bachelor degree in marine engineering with experience in ship repairing and no less than two years’ experience.
• Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering with experience in ship repairing and no less than two years’ experience.
• A credited certificate in marine surveying or marine safety with experience in in ship repairing or marine surveying of no less than two years.

Marine Craft Renting and Operating Activity Licensing

By licensing marine craft renting activity, DMCA aims to maintain safety of craft users through ensuring that rented marine crafts are safe for navigation, provided with all safety requirements and complied with DMCA approved safety requirements.

Stages of Permit Issuance:

Upon completing all requirements, the marine craft renting permit will be issued through the following two stages:

1. Submittal of all required documents for initial approval.
2. Booking an appointment for site visit and paying the set fees for license issuance.

First Stage: initial approval

Upon reviewing the application, the initial approval for activity licensing will be issued, and facility owner shall be allowed to complete licensing procedures once he presents an undertaking to refrain from actual practice of the activity until all requirements have been met.

Required Documents:

1. Copy of Emirates ID card and passport for UAE nationals, and copy of Emirates ID card, passport and valid residence visa for expatriates.
2. Copy of initial approval from Department of Economic Development or Free Zone Authorities to practice the activity in the emirate.
3. Location plan of marine craft renting site including, operation and anchoring areas.
4. Copy of signed contract with marine club or marina allowing anchorage.
5. List of marine crafts, including types, specifications and number to be used in the activity practice.

Upon reviewing all submitted documents, DMCA shall issue the initial approval for practicing the activity if all conditions have been satisfied, and allow facility owner to complete commercial licensing procedures with the competent authorities in the emirate.

Second Stage: final approval

The owner shall notify DMCA upon completion of procedures required to practice the activity in no more than one year from initial approval issuance date, in order for DMCA employees to conduct a site visit for inspection, so that they can make sure the facility is ready and competent for operation. In case all license requirements have been fully met, DMCA shall issues the final approval for the facility to practice the activity.

Required Documents:

1. Statement with names, qualifications and experience of all employees and manager to be submitted by companies.
2. DMCA licenses of marine crafts and crew that will be used in practicing the activity.
3. Complaints and suggestion box provided that the forms to be used shall be in both Arabic and English.
4. Directional signage with service offering timings, and maritime crafts rental charges for public.

In case the applicant fails to complete all requirements for practicing the activity, or does not complete the shortfalls required within the deadline stated in this Article, the initial approval shall be cancelled, and DMCA shall notify the commercial licensing authority to cancel the commercial license issued for the renting facility.

Obligations of Tourism Marine Craft Renting and Operating Facilities

Owners of tourism marine craft renting and operating facilities shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Develop emergency response plan and regularly train employees on the same, keeping training records to be presented to DMCA upon request.
2. Maintain maritime crafts in accordance with recommendations of manufacturer and keep copy of maintenance records.
3. Prepare a record for cruise schedules and destinations along with names and numbers of rented maritime crafts, cruise organisers’ names, nationalities and their addresses in the emirate, and shall maintain the same for not less than three years to be submitted to DMCA upon request.
4. Marine craft crews to be DMCA licensed, and safe manning requirements shall be complied with before sailing.
5. Marine crafts shall not carry more individuals than the number permitted in license.
6. Maintain the environment and not allow waste disposal or any pollutants in sea waters.
7. Maritime crafts shall not exceed speed limits determined by competent authorities of the emirate.
8. Marine crafts shall not enter restricted areas determined by DMCA and competent authorities.
9. Adhere to safe navigation rules and cause no damage to navigational signs.
10. Shall not create noise or disturb others and endanger their lives.
11. Anchor maritime crafts in designated anchoring areas.
12. Marine crafts shall not be allowed to participate in maritime processions or rallies, or used for advertisement purposes or any other event unless authorized by DMCA.
13. Marine craft comprehensive maintenance shall not be carried out in anchoring areas.
14. Marine crafts shall not be refuelled in sea, except in emergencies.
15. Provide suitable communication means between facilities and rented marine crafts.
16. Maritime crafts shall not be rented for commercial fishing.

Obligations of Jet Ski and Water Sport-Related Equipment Renting Centres

Water sports equipment and jet ski renting companies shall abide by the following:

1. Develop emergency response plan and regularly train employees on the same, keeping training records to be presented to DMCA upon request.
2. Maintain jet skis in accordance with recommendations of manufacturer and keep copy of maintenance records.
3. Prepare a record for schedules and destinations along with names and numbers of rented maritime crafts, cruise organisers’ names, nationalities and their addresses in the emirate, and shall maintain the same for not less than three years to be submitted to DMCA upon request.
4. No trainer shall be hired unless qualified and DMCA authorised.
5. No jet skis shall be rented to those who are less than sixteen years old.
6. Check medical fitness of renters and their competency to drive jet skis.
7. Provide explanation for each renter by a qualified trainer on how to use jet skis, safety equipment and practicing defined areas.
8. Jet skis shall not be used after sunset.
9. Jet ski drivers shall wear life vests and other safety equipment during practicing.
10. Jet skis driver shall be stopped immediately if they drive recklessly or enter any restricted area.
11. Jet skis shall be checked before they are handed over to renters, to ensure their safety and suitability for use.
12. Jet skis shall not carry more than what is permitted in the license.
13. Maintain environment and not allow disposal of wastes or any items to pollute sea waters.
14. Jet skis shall not exceed the speed limits stated by the competent authorities of the emirate.
15. Jet skis shall not enter restricted areas determined by DMCA.
16. Jet skis shall adhere to safe navigation rules and cause no damage to navigational signs.
17. Shall not create noise or disturb others and endanger their lives.
18. Jet skis shall anchor in defined anchoring areas.
19. Jet skis shall not be allowed to participate in maritime processions or rallies, or used for advertisement purposes or any other event unless authorized by DMCA.
20. Jet ski comprehensive maintenance shall not be carried out in anchoring areas.
21. Jet skis shall not be refueled in the sea, except in emergencies.
22. Provide safe passages on swimming beaches if jet skis starting point is from a hotel.
23. Provide constant supervision over the activity practice in order to extend help and rescue users in case of emergency.
24. Provide suitable communication means between the renting facility and trainer on activity practice site.

Temporary Maritime Event Permits

Permits include maritime exhibitions and conferences which are held temporarily by companies licensed to operate in the emirate, and specialized in organising and coordinating exhibitions and conferences. Such permits shall be issued through one single stage.

Required Documents:

1. Commercial license copy of the event organiser who is licensed to operate in the emirate.
2. Copy of applicant valid commercial license if the company is UAE licensed, or copy of valid commercial license or continuity certificate if company is licensed abroad.
3. Request letter from applying company detailing type, date and place of maritime event, along with all brochures published in this regard.
4. Copy of signed contract with site owner where the maritime event is taking place.