Legislative Decree No. 20 of 1979 defining requirements and conditions for the registration and safety of small ships.

The aim of this Legislative Decree is to regulate the registration of small ships and to define the requirements and equipment for their safety. This Legislative Decree is composed of 21 articles. Article 1 deals with terms and definitions. Article 2 provides for the establishment of the Small Ships Register. Articles 3 and 4 specify the ships to be registered or excluded from the registration. Articles 5 and 6 pertain to the registration’s application. Articles 7 and 8 deal with registration procedures. Articles 9-11 refer to the transfer of property and revocation of the registration. Articles 12-15 provide for the obligations of ship-owners. Article 16 entrusts the Ports Department with the right to inspect and control all ships in the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Articles 17-19 contain offences and penalties.