Initiative aims to regulate use of jet skis and life jackets, as part of efforts to promote maritime safety
May 22, 2013
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As part of its strategic and ongoing collaboration with Dubai Police, Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, has announced the launch of a new student-oriented initiative to increase awareness on best practices for the use of jet skis. The move complements DMCA’s strong efforts to promote maritime safety across Dubai’s waters.
The launch of the latest initiative is in the framework of the Maritime Authority’s efforts to organize the operations of jetskis and to ensure the highest levels of maritime safety, particularly during summer, when there is a surge in marine sports.
The initiative is based on an integrated approach through which school and university students are introduced to the latest regulations and procedures for use of jet skis to guarantee the highest levels of personal safety, with a particular focus on the use of life jackets. A group of experts from Dubai Ports Police will be delivering a series of lectures on safety standards and optimal use of life jackets to ensure safe usage of jet skis.
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Major-General Abdullah Al Mazuod, Manager of Ports Center, Dubai Ports Police, said: “The new initiative is poised to increase student awareness on the proper use of safety equipment and the importance of abiding by the traffic and maneuver management rules, operating and anchoring areas and the precautionary measures to avoid accidents. This move is part of an integrated strategy aimed at regulating random water sports in line with best international practices through developing industry regulations and guidelines to reduce human and material damage while also promoting maritime safety standards to create a safe and ideal maritime environment to practice all kinds of water sports.”
“We commended DMCA for their continuous efforts to develop regulations governing water sports and introduce leading initiatives to promote maritime safety in Dubai. He further underlined the new student awareness initiative as a step forward to meet common goals of improving maritime safety and protecting lives, the environment and operating facilities. “We look forward to building on the cooperation with DMCA to benefit national interests and protect maritime facilities in Dubai”, Al Mazuod added.
Ali Al Daboos, Executive Director of Operations, DMCA, said: “The new awareness initiative is crucial as it targets young students from schools, universities and colleges who represent the largest segment of jet ski users, especially during summer when this water sport sees maximum popularity across Dubai’s coastline. We are delighted to have worked again with Dubai Police, which has always played a vital role in supporting our efforts to regulate, develop and promote the maritime industry in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai among the world’s top maritime destinations. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to work hard and collaborate with our strategic partners at Dubai Police and other local government authorities, in order to establish a safe and highly developed maritime industry in the emirate.”
New rules have recently been issued concerning the use of jet skis, which include 300-metre buffer zones imposed around three Dubai beaches at Dubai Marina, Umm Suqeim 1 and 2 and Jumeirah 2 and 3 to keep jet skis out of swimming areas. This is the result of DMCA’s mutual cooperation and ongoing collaboration with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police and other relevant parties.