Just like cars, marine crafts require proper registration in Dubai. There are certain criteria you need to fulfil and a process to be followed. Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), founded in 2007, has brought a comprehensive change in the maritime sector of the Emirate. The authority provides services to individuals, businesses, organizations and government authorities to get a marine transport registration and driving licence.
The DMCA is forming policies and safety guidelines for the marine sector to operate safely and effectively. Boat registration in Dubai involves multiple steps as described below.
BOAT REGISTRATION IN DUBAI
Application for the licence of every category includes two stages. However, these stages take place after the individual or corporation visits the DMCA happiness centre or registers at DMCA smart portal.
Address: Maritime Business Centre, Dubai Maritime City.
DMCA online registration portal: eservices.dmca.ae
DMCA Smart Application: Android or iOS
After submission of documents, the allocated fees need to be paid through an online payment gateway accessible through DMCA smart applications.
Marine crafts are divided in three different categories.
- Pleasure water sport marine crafts
- Pleasure marine crafts
- Commercial marine crafts
Let’s give a read to licence application processes for each category:
PLEASURE WATER SPORT MARINE CRAFTS
Water sport marine crafts include jet skis and speed boats. Its registration process has two stages, let’s find out about stages and documents needed for boat registration in Dubai:
FIRST STAGE
Documents required at the first stage of boat registration in Dubai:
- Emirates ID card and passport copy (UAE residents)
- Residence Visa copy (Non-UAE residents)
For new marine:
- Copy of the original marine craft builder manual or document.
- Proof of ownership or copy of the original invoice.
For the previously registered marine craft:
- Registration cancellation certificate
- Sales deed agreement.
For an imported marine craft:
- Custom clearance certificate along with the other documents.
- Copy of the environmental specification certificate issued by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA)
- Copy of mortgage deed agreement.
After the submission of documents, the marine craft then goes through technical inspection. On passing the inspection test, you move forward to the second stage which is described below:
SECOND STAGE
If you are applying for registration through the DMCA portal or (app name), update the insurance certificates on the platform. Here is a list of documents that are required in the second stage:
- Technical inspection certificate issued by the DMCA.
- Copy of 13 months or minimum 12 months of insurance certificate.
- Boat trailer registration
- One year contract with the marine club in Dubai.
PLEASURE MARINE CRAFTS
Pleasure marine crafts such as yachts and cruises also require a two-stage registration process which is as follows:
FIRST STAGE
Its first stage and documents are similar to the registration of pleasure sport marine crafts. However, registration of pleasure marine crafts require a few additional documents that are listed below:
- Proof of income of AED 20,000 monthly or trade licence issued in Dubai or title deed for free hold property owners.
- Certificate of very high frequency (VHF) installation from an approved supplier (applicable to marine crafts having a length of above 35 feets)
- Stability booklet (Ensuring that the boat can carry more than 12 passengers).
- The mortgage deed for marine craft (if applicable).
- Copy of UAE yacht code certificate (For marine engines of length 24 meters or more).
Technical inspection will take place after you submit all the documents and pay applicable fees. Then you move on to the next stage that requires the following documents:
SECOND STAGE
After the technical inspection process, one needs to follow all the steps and submit documents same as pleasure sport marine crafts. However, there are a few additional steps that one needs to follow to get a boat licence in Dubai:
- Installation of safety and security transponders for the marine craft by the Coast Guard office.
- Installation certificate by Coast Guard to the DMCA.
COMMERCIAL MARINE CRAFT
Commercial marine craft includes cargo transportation, tourist water sport, wooden floating restaurants, and Dubai marine public transportation such as abra, water bus, water taxi and Dubai ferry. Their licence registration involves two stages:
FIRST STAGE
Its first stage documents are similar to the other boat registration in Dubai. It requires some additional documents, which are following:
- No objection certificate and a statement of marine craft route, dates of service and rated speed from the Road and Transportation Authority (RTA).
- GCC code certificate (for all non-wooden commercial marine transports of length above 12 meters).
- Copy of classification or GCC certificate (for commercial marine transports that are 24 meters or above).
Applicants need to present GCC certificates to the inspector at the time of technical inspection. After technical inspection by DCMA, one needs to move to the second stage of documents submission for licence:
SECOND STAGE
The second stage for the registration of commercial marine crafts is the same as for pleasure marine crafts i.e. a person needs to submit technical inspection and insurance certificates and allocated fees through the same process.
LICENCE VALIDATION
An electronic copy is sent to the individual or corporate after the boat registration in Dubai by DMCA. You can request for the delivery of a boat registration licence on DMCA smart portal or application or pick it up from any DMCA happiness centre. The boat licence is valid for one year and can be renewed after it expires.
There is a safe manning certificate issued along with the licence for commercial and pleasure water sport marine crafts. It is also valid for a year.
DMCA SERVICE FEES
DMCA service fees for every marine craft’s licence is AED 120. However, there are different fees and charges for the technical inspection, issuance of certificates for different types of marine crafts that range from AED 220 to AED 820. Moreover, if you register marine crafts’ technical inspection outside the Emirate, it can cost you AED 2020.
This was all about the boat registration in Dubai. You can use boat rentals in Dubai that have registered marine crafts from DMCA and use them according to your convenience. Whether you buy a used boat in Dubai or a new one, you need to register it first with DMCA to acquire an ownership/driving licence.
For more information on transport registration and automotive, stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog.
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