"Coast Guard": Safety equipment mandatory on all marine vessels

Naveen Al-Sultan: Ashwaq Hamoud Zaid, Captain and Head of the Jalbout Center at the Maritime Transport Department under the General Directorate of the Coast Guard, confirmed that Article 13 of Decree-Law No. 61 of 2026 obligates the owner of a marine vessel to provide all safety and security requirements and to ensure its readiness for use before departure.

Captain Ashwaq explained during a television interview on the program “Good Morning Kuwait” that among the key safety requirements that must be present on a marine vessel are an Automatic Identification System (AIS) device, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, and life jackets, all of which contribute to protecting lives and enhancing maritime safety.

She added that if a marine vessel is involved in any incident, whether a fire, sinking, mechanical failure, or damage, its owner must report the incident to the Maritime Transport Department under the General Directorate of the Coast Guard, submitting relevant documents and photographs of the damaged vessel. This enables the department to take the necessary legal and technical measures in accordance with prevailing regulations.

Regarding the procedures for registering marine vessels, Captain Ashwaq urged citizens wishing to own or register a marine vessel to visit the Registration Section and submit the certificate of origin and required documents to open a new file under the owner’s name.

She also stressed the importance of notifying the Maritime Transport Department when making any major modifications to a marine vessel, such as changing its color or installing new engines. She emphasized the necessity of presenting the vessel to specialized inspectors for examination and verification that the modifications comply with technical requirements before official approval.

She affirmed that compliance with registration procedures and safety and security requirements enhances the safety of sea users, contributes to raising the level of maritime readiness, ensures swift response to incidents, and safeguards the rights of marine vessel owners.