To navigate a boat in Dubai’s waters, certain lifesaving appliance and fire safety compliance requirements have to be met, which are overseen by the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) and are harmonized with SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations. The right equipment that must be serviced, maintained, and documented properly is a must for safety and marine law observance and these are the gammuts of portable fire extinguishers, life rafts, and EPIRBs.

This guide gives an in-depth presentation of the mandatory fire-fighting appliances (FFA), and life-saving appliances (LSA) that your vessel has to carry, and apart from inspection timelines, fines for non-conformance and how to be audit-ready are also explained in the UAE maritime sector.

Why Fire Safety Compliance and Life-Saving Equipment Matter at Sea

In marine operations, safety is non-negotiable. When something goes wrong at sea, there’s no 911 call or nearby help. Your vessel’s onboard fire-fighting appliances (FFA) and life-saving appliances (LSA) are your crew’s only defense.

To operate legally and safely in Dubai waters, vessels must comply with Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) regulations and international SOLAS compliance standards (Safety of Life at Sea). These regulations outline exactly what marine safety equipment must be onboard, how often it should be inspected, and what documentation is required.

Failure to comply doesn’t just risk safety—it can result in heavy fines, vessel detainment, and license suspension.

Mandatory Fire-Fighting Appliances (FFA)

Fire is one of the most dangerous emergencies onboard. Within minutes, it can escalate beyond control. That’s why the following fire safety compliance equipment is required under DMCA safety rules and SOLAS:

Portable fire extinguishers for different areas (engine room, galley, control rooms)

Fixed CO₂ fire suppression systems in machinery spaces

Fire detection and alarm systems

Emergency lighting and illuminated signage

Fire hoses, hydrants, and nozzles

Fire control plans posted at key locations

All fire-fighting equipment must be DMCA-approved, tagged with inspection dates, and maintained regularly.

Required Life-Saving Equipment (LSA)

Your crew’s survival depends on what’s available after evacuation. SOLAS and DMCA mandates require the following life-saving equipment onboard every vessel:

SOLAS-approved life jackets (for adults and children)

Immersion suits for cold water emergencies

Inflatable life rafts with emergency rations and flares

Rescue boats and launching equipment

EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)

SARTs (Search and Rescue Transponders)

Lifebuoys with auto-light and smoke signals

Thermal protective aids and marine survival gear

Each piece of the life-saving appliance must be readily accessible, stored in a designated area, and marked clearly with SOLAS compliance labels.

Inspection and Maintenance: What DMCA Requires

Both FFA and LSA must undergo routine inspection and servicing. According to ship safety inspection protocols:

Fire-fighting appliances should be inspected every 6 months

Life-saving appliances require at least annual inspections

Inspection logs must be kept onboard for verification

Any expired or non-functional gear must be immediately replaced

Servicing should only be done by DMCA-approved providers

Regular ship safety inspections also check for crew awareness, training drills, and whether equipment is correctly labeled.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Ignoring fire safety compliance or delaying equipment inspections can result in:

Fines up to AED 500,000

Immediate vessel detention at port

Suspension of operating license

Failure to obtain insurance clearances

Legal liability in case of onboard incidents

Non-compliance isn’t just risky—it’s costly.

Checklist: Are You Safety-Compliant?

Use this checklist to evaluate your vessel’s preparedness:

Are all fire extinguishers tagged and serviced within 6 months?

Do you have CO₂ systems installed in machinery spaces?

Are fire control plans clearly posted?

Do you carry enough SOLAS life jackets and immersion suits?

Are your life rafts inspected and stocked with emergency rations?

Have you tested your EPIRBs and SARTs in the last quarter?

Are all safety appliances stored in designated, marked areas?

Are inspection logs and certificates up-to-date and onboard?

FAQs: Fire & Life-Saving Equipment for Ships in Dubai

Can I operate my vessel if one extinguisher is expired?

No. DMCA and SOLAS treat expired gear as non-functional, which can disqualify your vessel from passing inspections.

What are the most critical pieces of fire safety equipment?

CO₂ systems, extinguishers, alarms, and hydrants. These are required in all engine spaces and control zones.

Is crew training mandatory for life-saving appliance usage?

Yes. The crew must know how to deploy rafts, operate EPIRBs, and perform basic rescue maneuvers as part of annual drills.