Legislative Decree No. 14 of 1978 issuing the Law on Ship Registration and Safety Requirements.

The aim of this Law is to regulate the registration of ships and to define safety requirements for navigation. This Law is composed of 3 Chapters divided into 36 articles. Chapter I deals with the following matters: (a) obligatory registration for ships with a load capacity of 150 tons and more; (b) the competent authority for the registration which shall be the Ports Department; (c) creation of the Application Register; (d) documents and certificates necessary for the registration; (e) acquisition of the ownership outside of Bahrain; (f) Registration Certificates; (g) transfer of ownership; (h) revocation of registration; and (i) registration fees. Chapter II deals with safety matters and in particular: (a) Safety Certificates or Safety Equipment Certificates; (b) requirements and conditions for granting Safety Certificates; (c) Navigation Licences; (d) supervision and testing of the ships; (e) Temporary Licences; (f) requirements and conditions for the navigation of foreign ships in the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Bahrain; (g) rights of inspection and control of ships in the territorial waters of Bahrain; and (h) medical and sanitary services on ships. Chapter III contains offences and penalties.