Qatar Sea Angling Association
Boat registration office
Qatar Boat Registration is a requirement of the law for all water craft including jet skis. Applications can be made at the registration offices now located on Diplomatic Street in the Ministry of Transport building right opposite City Centre. The office is located immediately on the ground floor. Also note that it is now a requirement to install VHF and AIS on all sea vessels including pleasure boats.
At the point of registration or renewal you will be given a no objection letter from the boat registration office. This letter should be taken to ICTQatar, opposite the Law Courts near Commercial Bank Plaze for approval and assignment of AIS ID number. This process takes 2 days!! Once you have the apporval you can purchase the goverment approved portable AIS device, or you can install your own class-B AIS device.
ELCOME Qatar - Al Wakra - 4498 6001 azhar@elcome.com
Don't forget
1. Your Qatari ID card
2. A couple of passport photos
3. Your boat details including engine size, number of people it can carry, type and length, existing old boat registration card.
4. A letter from your sponsor company stating they have no issues with you owning a boat (no letter no registration)
5. A boat registration form available from the registration office
6. Debit or credit card with PIN - No cash is taken
7. Boat Insurance certificate (may ask for it)
Office opening hours are from 7am until 12pm. Parking is very limited!!
Please note the above are based on experience, not government information
AIS SRT EM TRAK i100 - QAR1425
Coast Guard Information
The coast guard are your friend. They will assist you when your vessel is in trouble and even tow you off rocks if you become grounded. Treat them with dignity and respect and you will be treated in a similar manner. It is essential that you check out at one of the coast guard station when leaving inshore waters.
In Doha offshore a coast guard vessel is permanently moored as well as outside Lusail. You will need to provide your name and nationality (and of guests on board) place of mooring, boat number, destination, phone number or estimated time of return. Coast guard patrol boats are generally very active and will approach and can board you if they see fit, but usually they leave you undisturbed. Coast Guard Officers often carry out random checks for boat documentation so make sure you always carry your ID and boat registration papers.
Wandering into restricted waters can means trouble. As a responsible boat owner there are no excuses. Prison, fines and boat confiscation may result for offenders of maritime rules so be warned to keep out of restricted areas and obey the rules. It is wise to invest in a good chart and study the waters carefully before taking your boat out for the first few times. Try to memorise reefs and shallows that could spell trouble for the less experienced or observant. Offshore oil and gas installations are strictly out of bounds and have “no go” zones around them.