What does your boat need?
Pick your craft and the emirate that licenses it. You get the licence, the insurance the licence needs and the fees.
Every answer in one table
| Craft | Emirate | What it needs | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski | Dubai | A Dubai Maritime Authority licence, which needs an insurance policy. Insurance: From an insurer licensed in the emirate, valid 13 months, or 26 months for a two-year licence. Least cover: Your liability to third parties. Fees: Licence AED 320, inspection AED 120. Also: A berth contract or trailer registration. Owner aged 18 or over. | See the Dubai licence steps |
| Boat or yacht I own | Dubai | A Dubai Maritime Authority licence, which needs an insurance policy. Insurance: From an insurer licensed in the emirate, valid 13 months. Least cover: Your liability to third parties. Fees: Licence AED 120. Inspection AED 220 under 12 m, AED 420 to 24 m, AED 820 over. Also: A Coast Guard transponder, a berth contract or trailer registration, and a driving licence for the skipper. | See the Dubai licence steps |
| Craft I rent out | Dubai | A Dubai Maritime Authority activity permit, plus a licence and policy for every craft. Insurance: Charter firms: a comprehensive policy covering people, property and wreck removal. Permit: Jet ski renting AED 5,020 a year. Marine craft renting AED 2,020 a year. Rules: No jet ski rented to anyone under 16, and none after sunset. | See the rental and charter rules |
| Foreign-flagged yacht | Dubai | A sailing permit from Dubai Maritime Authority, applied for by a ship agent. Insurance: A policy covering the visit in UAE waters and removing the wreck. Apply: Within 5 working days of arrival. Fees: Six months: AED 1,020 under 12 m, AED 3,020 to 24 m, AED 5,020 over. | See what a visiting yacht needs |
| Jet ski | Abu Dhabi | An Abu Dhabi Maritime licence, which needs an insurance policy. Insurance: Valid 13 months, or at least 12 months from the licence date, from an insurer licensed in the emirate. Least cover: Third-party cover for individuals, under the 2017 jet ski decision. Fees: Licence AED 200, inspection AED 100. Also: A berth contract or trailer registration. Owner aged 18 or over. | See the Abu Dhabi licence steps |
| Boat or yacht I own | Abu Dhabi | A licence from the Abu Dhabi authorities, with an insurance policy on the document list. Insurance: Listed for recreational craft of every length. Also: A National Guard Command transponder. From 8 m, a VHF radio and stability booklet. Ask: Abu Dhabi Maritime on 800 10 20 30 which office registers your boat. | See the Abu Dhabi rules |
| Craft I rent out | Abu Dhabi | Rental craft must be insured, and the cover explained to each customer. Insurance: Rental jet skis need comprehensive cover under the 2017 jet ski decision. Permit: Operating permit AED 3,000 for high-risk activities, AED 1,000 for low-risk. Fine: AED 10,000 for renting to someone under the influence. | See the rental and charter rules |
| Foreign-flagged yacht | Abu Dhabi | A permit to sail in Abu Dhabi waters, through a local agent. Insurance: Third-party liability and P&I cover are on the clearance list. Dubai permit: Recognised for travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi since January 2026. | See what a visiting yacht needs |
| Jet ski | Ras Al Khaimah | A Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority licence, which needs an insurance policy. Insurance: Valid for the whole licence, from an insurer licensed in the UAE. Fees: Licence AED 100 a year, inspection AED 50. From another emirate: A permit and a policy for the whole permit. | See the Ras Al Khaimah rules |
| Boat or yacht I own | Ras Al Khaimah | A Ras Al Khaimah licence under Law No. 13 of 2023. Its insurance terms are not published. Regulation: Issued on 20 May 2026. Ask: The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority for its document list. | See the northern emirates page |
| Craft I rent out | Ras Al Khaimah | A rental office licence, and a policy for each jet ski for the whole licence. Records: A register of every jet ski and its insurance policy. Licence: Commercial jet ski activity AED 1,000. Each rental jet ski AED 200 a year. Rules: Sunrise to sunset only. Under 16 only with a guardian or instructor, up to 1,200 cc. | See the Ras Al Khaimah rules |
| Foreign-flagged yacht | Ras Al Khaimah | Ask the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority. A jet ski from elsewhere needs a permit and a policy. 300 tons or more: Federal rule: wreck removal insurance or bank security before entering port. | See what a visiting yacht needs |
| Jet ski | Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah | Ask the authority that registers it. Sharjah’s 2024 marine sports resolution covers insurance, but its terms are not published. Federal law: Every watercraft must be registered with the Ministry or an emirate authority. | See the northern emirates page |
| Boat or yacht I own | Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah | Register it with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure or the emirate authority, and ask what insurance it needs. Federal law: Registration and a navigation licence are required. Late renewal: A federal pleasure ship licence renewed over 60 days late: AED 50 a month, up to AED 200. | See the northern emirates page |
| Craft I rent out | Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah | No published rental rule for these emirates. Ask the emirate authority before you start. Federal law: Liability insurance for passenger ships is compulsory. | See the rental and charter rules |
| Foreign-flagged yacht | Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah | Ask the port authority before arrival. Larger yachts need wreck removal cover. 300 tons or more: Wreck removal insurance or bank security, checked before entering port. | See what a visiting yacht needs |
The rule behind every answer is on do you have to insure your boat.
Sources
- Issuing Marine Vessel LicenseDubai Maritime Authority. Undated service page. Read 12 November 2026.
- Law No. (11) of 2010 Concerning the Licensing of Vessels in the Emirate of DubaiSupreme Legislation Committee, Dubai. Issued 7 June 2010. Read 12 November 2026.
- Marine Craft Renting and Operating Activity LicensingDubai Maritime Authority. Undated service page. Read 12 November 2026.
- Licensing of Maritime Vessels in the Emirate of Dubai (Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2013)Dubai Maritime City Authority (published by PCFC). English compilation, 2014. Read 12 November 2026.
- Issuing Visiting Foreign Yacht PermitDubai Maritime Authority. Undated service page. Read 12 November 2026.
- Our ServicesAbu Dhabi Maritime. Undated service page. Read 12 November 2026.
- Chairman's Decision No. 171 of 2017 on jet skis (Arabic)Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi. Dated 1 June 2017. Read 12 November 2026.
- Requirements for Safe Operations of Marine Crafts (DMT-MAR-COP-21-04, Rev 01)Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi. Uploaded June 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Administrative Decision No. 69 of 2025, Regulatory Bylaw for Maritime Safety in Abu Dhabi WaterwaysDepartment of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi. Dated 2 June 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Foreign Yachts Clearance Formalities ProcessAbu Dhabi Maritime. Uploaded November 2023. Read 12 November 2026.
- Launch of simplified protocol will ease the movement of foreign yachts between Abu Dhabi and DubaiAbu Dhabi Maritime. News release dated 22 December 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Executive Council Resolution No. 8 of 2024 Regulating the Use of Jet Skis in Ras Al KhaimahExecutive Council, Ras Al Khaimah. Dated 24 June 2024. Read 12 November 2026.
- Executive Regulation of the Law on Licensing and Operating Marine Vessels in Ras Al KhaimahRas Al Khaimah Transport Authority. News release dated 20 May 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Cabinet Resolution No. (71) of 2021 Regarding Marine Wrecks and Violating VesselsUAE Legislation. Read 12 November 2026.
- Resolution regulating and licensing marine sports activities (Arabic)Sharjah Executive Council. News release dated 27 February 2024. Read 12 November 2026.
- Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2023 Concerning the Maritime LawUAE Legislation. In force 29 March 2024. English translation; the Arabic text prevails. Read 12 November 2026.
- Cabinet Resolution No. (12) of 2021 Concerning the Service Fees and Administrative Fines of the Ministry of Energy and InfrastructureUAE Legislation. Issued 24 January 2021, as amended. Read 12 November 2026.