Like for any other means of transport, a driving licence is required for marina craft in Dubai. Both private or commercial marine craft require a boat driving license issued by Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA). DMCA focuses on increasing awareness of boat safety, marine navigational rules, and knowledge of the internal and external waters by issuance of marine driving licence to the trained boat drivers.
Let’s give a read on how one can apply for a marine driving licence in Dubai.
APPLYING FOR A BOAT DRIVING LICENCE IN DUBAI
Applicants need to submit specific documents for the marine driving licence of every marine craft category. However, the process of application takes place after the trained individual 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
Among the documents, boat drivers need to submit the qualifying courses completion certificate from the DMCA certified training schools for instance Al-Bateen Marine Training Institute, JLS Yacht Training Institute, and Xclusive Sea School or any other certified marine crew training centres around the world. Another important document is the medical clearance certificate from International Modern Hospital, which is certified by DMCA.
DMCA issues an equivalency certificate to the individuals who have completed the marine driving courses from certified training centers. Here’s how one can apply for equivalency certificate to move on to the licence application process:
EQUIVALENCY OF MARINE DRIVING LICENCE AND CERTIFICATES
DMCA offers equivalency for marine crew certificates and licences to the individuals who trained from certified marine training schools outside the UAE. Applicant needs to submit the following documents:
- Equivalency application form
- Copy of licence or certificate
- Emirates ID card and passport copy (for residents of the UAE)
- Residence visa and passport copy (for expatriates)
DMCA then reviews the application and informs the applicant with regards to their equivalency application and completing the procedures for obtaining licence or permit. However, the equivalency certificate is valid for only one month.
DMCA conducts tests for trained individuals before issuing a marine driving licence to ensure that the applicant is aware of boat safety guide and regulations.
Marine crafts are divided in five different categories for boat driving licence in Dubai:
- Pleasure marine craft
- Commercial marine craft
- Traditional marine craft
- Fishing marine craft
- Marine boat
Let’s give a read to licence application processes for each category:
CATEGORIES OF BOAT DRIVING LICENCE
PLEASURE MARINE CRAFT DRIVING LICENCE
Here’s a list of documents that a trained marine driver need to submit to obtain a pleasure marine craft driving licence in Dubai:
- Application form
- Personal photograph with white background
- Emirates ID card and passport copy (for residents of the UAE)
- Residence visa and passport copy (for expatriates)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Qualifying courses completion certificate or equivalent certificate issued by DMCA
Following is the criteria for applicants’ minimum age depending on the length of pleasure marine craft:
- Up to 12 metres: 16 years
- Up to 24 metres: 18 years
- More than 24 metres: 20 years
COMMERCIAL MARINE CRAFT DRIVING LICENCE
For a commercial marine driving licence in Dubai, documents are similar to that of a pleasure marine craft driving licence. However, applicants of commercial marine craft driving licence require a few additional documents that are listed below:
- Good conduct certificate issued by Dubai Police General Headquarters.
- NOC from sponsor (for expatriates)
- Original certificate copy of marine safety and communication courses.
DMCA has set a criteria for applicants’ minimum age depending on the length of commercial marine craft:
- Up to 12 metres: 18 years
- Up to 24 metres: 20 years
- More than 24 metres: 20 years
TRADITIONAL MARINE CRAFT DRIVING LICENCE
DMCA has divided the traditional marine craft driving licences into the following two categories:
- Abra driving licence
- Traditional wooden marine craft driving licence
The driving licence process of both the traditional marine crafts is different, here’s the process for issuance of driving license for Abra and wooden marine craft:
ABRA DRIVING LICENCE
DMCA issues driving licence for abra which is one of the marine public transports in Dubai in two stages:
FIRST STAGE DOCUMENTS:
Practical assessment is the first stage for the issuance of an abra driving license. Individuals need to submit the documents and pay the abra training fees that is AED 120. Documents required are similar to that of pleasure and commercial marine driving licence with few additional ones:
- Abra driving training application form
- Abra registration licence on which the applicant will work
- Emirates ID card and passport copy of Abra owner
After passing practical assessment, one needs to move to the second stage of documents submission for driving licence:
SECOND STAGE DOCUMENTS:
Second stage documents are similar to the commercial marine driving licence for instance medical and good conduct certificates. One additional document is required which is the DMCA practical assessment completion certificate.
TRADITIONAL WOODEN MARINE CRAFT DRIVING LICENSE
Wooden marine craft driving licence is issued in a single stage by submission of required documents that are similar to the documents for commercial marine craft driving licence.
The applicant must be 18 years or above for a traditional marine craft driving licence in Dubai.
FISHING MARINE CRAFT DRIVING LICENCE
DMCA issues the fishing marine driving licence only to the UAE nationals after submission of the documents. All documents are the same as for a commercial marine craft driving licence. However, following additional documents’ copies need to be submitted:
- Skipper or deputy skipper license issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water
- Membership certificate of Dubai Fishermen Co-op Association
Skipper and deputy skipper of the fishing boat should be minimum 18 years old to obtain a fishing boat driving licence in Dubai.
MARINE BOAT DRIVING LICENSE
DMCA will issue the marine boat driving licence after successful submission of all the documents and valid fees. All the documents are the same as for pleasure and commercial marine crafts. However, the official applicant needs to submit a request form as well for a marine boat driving licence in Dubai.
Following is the required minimum age of individuals applying for marine driving licence depending on the length of marine boat:
- Up to 12 metres: 18 years
- Up to 24 metres: 20 years
- More than 24 metres: 20 years
FEE FOR MARINE DRIVING LICENCE IN DUBAI
DMCA has allocated different fees for application of various types of marine driving licence in Dubai. Following is the allocation of fees:
- Pleasure marine craft driving license: AED 620
- Commercial marine craft driving license: AED 920
- Abra driving license: AED 220
- Traditional marine craft driving license: AED 320
- Fishing marine craft driving license: AED 920
- Marine boat driving license: AED 920
VALIDITY OF MARINE DRIVING LICENCE
Marine driving licence is valid for 5 years from the issuance date and it is renewable for the same period of time after the validity of licence ends. Moreover, DMCA facilitates the tourists with a non-renewable temporary marine driving licence for boating in Dubai which is valid for 3 months.
This was all about the marine driving licence in Dubai. Make sure you follow boat buying tips and complete all the legal requirements for boat driving licence when you buy new or used boats for sale in Dubai.
For more information on marine transport registration and driving licence, stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog.
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