What are the fines for your boat or jet ski?
In Dubai, using an unlicensed boat is fined AED 5,000 and riding an unlicensed jet ski AED 1,000. Riding under the influence is AED 10,000 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai doubles a repeat within a year, up to AED 100,000. Ras Al Khaimah adds impounding.
Most boat and jet ski fines in Dubai run from AED 1,000 to AED 10,000, and a repeat within a year is doubled.12 Look up a fine with the Dubai fines tool.
What are the Dubai fines for boat owners?
| Violation | AED |
|---|---|
| Using a vessel not licensed or authorised in Dubai | 5,000 |
| Using a vessel after its licence expired | 1,000 |
| Navigating without a permit or with an expired permit | 1,000 |
| Renewing a vessel licence more than two months late | 100 a month |
| Not carrying the required safety equipment | 3,000 |
| Not reporting the wreckage, damage or destruction of a vessel | 2,000 |
| Speeding under 24 m: 2, 5 or 7 knots over | 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 |
| Navigating in a prohibited area | 5,000 |
| Navigating under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 10,000 |
| Unsafe or reckless navigation | 5,000 |
| Overloading with goods or passengers | 3,000 |
| Cooking, or serving shisha, without approval | 5,000 each |
| Anchoring outside designated areas or times | 2,000 |
All rows are from the 2020 schedule.1
Carry your licence and safety equipment on every trip.
What are the Dubai fines for jet ski riders?
| Violation | AED |
|---|---|
| Riding an unlicensed water sports craft | 1,000 |
| Not wearing a life jacket | 1,000 |
| Riding outside the permitted areas | 1,000 |
| Riding with an expired, suspended or cancelled licence | 1,000 |
| Under-age rider without an adult | 1,000 |
| Riding outside the permitted times | 2,000 |
| Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 10,000 |
| Disturbing others | 2,000 |
All rows are from the same schedule.1 A repeat within one year of the previous violation doubles the fine, up to AED 100,000.2 Khaleej Times reported on 28 July 2025 that one Dubai Police inspection campaign issued 431 violations and seized 41 jet skis.3
Ride only in the marked areas and in daylight.
What are the Abu Dhabi fines?
Abu Dhabi’s 2025 maritime safety bylaw lists 33 fines.4
| Violation | AED |
|---|---|
| Not wearing a life jacket | 500 |
| No safety precautions when the vessel breaks down | 1,000 |
| Breaking the navigation rules | 2,000 |
| Causing a maritime accident | 5,000 |
| Berthing without permission | 10,000 |
| Damaging, abandoning or neglecting a vessel without reason | 10,000 |
| Sailing under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 10,000 |
Report any accident within 24 hours, as the same bylaw requires.4
What are the Ras Al Khaimah jet ski fines?
Ras Al Khaimah fines riders and impounds the jet ski, with higher amounts for a second or third offence within a year.5
| Violation | First offence | Third offence in a year |
|---|---|---|
| Riding with number plates that belong to another jet ski | AED 2,000 and one month impounded | AED 6,000 and three months impounded |
| Riding outside the operating areas | AED 1,000 and two weeks impounded | AED 3,000 and two months impounded |
| Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs | AED 1,000 and one week impounded | AED 3,000 and one month impounded |
| Riding without a licence or permit | AED 500 and one week impounded | AED 2,000 and one month impounded |
| Under-age or unaccompanied rider | AED 500 | AED 2,000 and one month impounded |
| Riding outside the permitted times | AED 200 and one week impounded | AED 400 and three weeks impounded |
Keep your licence, permit and number plate valid and visible.
The small print
- Dubai. Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13, 18 to 20, 24, 26, 28, 35 to 37, 40, 84 to 87, 89 to 91 and 103 of Schedule 2 of Executive Council Resolution No. 9 of 2020. Article 19 of Law No. 11 of 2010 sets fines between AED 1,000 and AED 50,000, doubles a repeat within one year and caps any fine at AED 100,000.12 The National reported different amounts for the same July 2025 campaign; the schedule is the rule.6
- Abu Dhabi. Items 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 23 of the schedule to Administrative Decision No. 69 of 2025, dated 2 June 2025.4
- Ras Al Khaimah. Schedule 3 (riders) of Executive Council Resolution No. 8 of 2024, dated 24 June 2024. Schedule 2 lists fines for rental offices.5
Sources
6
1Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. (9) of 2020 Amending Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2013, Issued 15 February 2020.. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. (9) of 2020 Amending Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2013
2Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Law No. (11) of 2010 Concerning the Licensing of Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai, Issued 7 June 2010. English translation, the Arabic text prevails.. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. (11) of 2010 Concerning the Licensing of Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai
3Khaleej Times, Dubai Police issue 431 jet ski violations, seizes 41 in safety crackdown. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Dubai Police issue 431 jet ski violations, seizes 41 in safety crackdown
4Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi, Administrative Decision No. 69 of 2025, Regulatory Bylaw for Maritime Safety in Abu Dhabi Waterways, Dated 2 June 2025.. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Administrative Decision No. 69 of 2025, Regulatory Bylaw for Maritime Safety in Abu Dhabi Waterways
5Executive Council, Ras Al Khaimah, Executive Council Resolution No. 8 of 2024 Regulating the Use of Jet Skis in Ras Al Khaimah, Dated 24 June 2024.. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 8 of 2024 Regulating the Use of Jet Skis in Ras Al Khaimah
6The National, Dubai Police fine hundreds of jet-ski riders in water safety crackdown. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Dubai Police fine hundreds of jet-ski riders in water safety crackdown
- Owner
- Yachtinsurance.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 11 May 2027
- Status
- Published