What insurance does your marina berth contract ask for?

Your marina contract can ask for more than the licence does, and the terms differ by marina. Read the insurance clause before you sign.

What does the licence need from your berth?

A berth contract or a trailer registration, plus an insurance policy. Dubai Maritime Authority asks for a valid annual berth contract from a marine club or marina in the emirate, or a trailer registration, alongside a 13-month policy.¹ Abu Dhabi Maritime asks for the same pair for water sports craft.²

Dubai marinas must check that every berthed vessel holds a valid licence and must refuse vessels whose licence has expired.³

Keep your licence and your policy in date, or you can lose your berth as well as your licence.

What do marinas write into their terms?

The terms come from Aldar Marinas,⁴ AD Ports Group,⁵ the Roads and Transport Authority⁶⁷ and D-Marin.⁸ None of them sets a minimum sum insured for the owner.

Other marinas do not publish their berth terms. Ask yours for the full berth agreement and its insurance clause.

Does the marina pay if your boat is damaged at the berth?

Often not. AD Ports’ terms say the operator is not responsible for damage to vessels from natural disasters or owner negligence, and is not liable for theft, loss or damage to a vessel “regardless of cause”.⁵ The Roads and Transport Authority says its Al Garhoud facility is not responsible for damage such as sinking, fire or natural disasters.⁶ Aldar says vessels are left at the owner’s risk unless the marina is negligent or in breach of duty.⁴

Check that your own policy covers the boat while moored or ashore, including storms. See storm and flood damage.

What else can the berth contract make you responsible for?

• Contractors. At Aldar Marinas, a contractor working on your boat must show third-party liability cover of at least AED 2,000,000, with a waiver of subrogation or hold harmless clause in favour of the marina.⁴
• Marina staff at the helm. If you ask Aldar staff to move your boat, the pilot is treated as covered under your policy.⁴
• Limitation of liability. AD Ports users waive any statutory right to limit liability, and the marina can hold the vessel until security is given for damage to the marina.⁵

Show your insurer the berth contract and ask whether the policy covers what it makes you responsible for.

The small print

• Aldar Marinas. Clauses 3.10, 4.3, 8.6 and 10.6 of its terms. The co-insured clause sits in the dry stack section.⁴
• AD Ports. Clauses 3.5.4, 3.6.1, 3.7.1, 3.7.6 and 3.7.7 of the general conditions.⁵
• RTA. A dry berth at Al Garhoud costs AED 30 per metre per day.⁶