DMCA collaborates with Ports Police Station to enhance compliance with Maritime Safety Laws

Dec. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- December 28, 2014
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Maritime City Authority, the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, in cooperation with Dubai Ports Police Station, continues to promote compliance with maritime safety regulations. These regulations are considered key foundations for enhancing the competitiveness of the local maritime sector which will enable Dubai to position itself as a first-class global maritime hub.

The joint work includes raising awareness about the need to adhere to safe speed limits and not to exceed the maximum limits ranging from 5 to 7 knots. This is in line with DMCA’s strategy to achieve integration among the aspects of maritime safety, safe navigation, and operational efficiency along Dubai’s coastline.

DMCA and Dubai Port Police Station have agreed to monitor beach goers and water sports enthusiasts while they engage in marine activities and drive marine crafts within specific swimming areas around the marinas and beaches. The move aligns well with the efforts towards ensuring the highest levels of maritime safety and security in the local territorial waters as well as promotes, organizes and develops Dubai’s maritime sector according to the best international practices.

Amer Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Maritime City Authority explained that the new cooperative effort is the culmination of the remarkable progress previously achieved in terms of ensuring the highest maritime safety levels within the territorial waters of the emirate in collaboration with the Dubai Ports Police Station. He pointed out that the move complements the productive partnerships with various government authorities and parties concerned with Dubai’s maritime sector. Such partnerships play a vital role in supporting DMCA's efforts to create a safe and secure maritime environment that is able to advance economic development according to the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Amer Ali added: “The initiative for identifying safe speed limits along with the allocation of areas for swimming and driving marine crafts has a special importance as a key foundation that promotes maritime safety. It is considered an urgent requirement to improve the competitive advantages of the local maritime sector. We are fully confident that the cooperation with Dubai Ports Police Station will support our joint goals to accelerate the pace of turning Dubai into one of the most advanced maritime centres in the world by administration of the best global practices and implementation of local and international resolutions.”

Adel Al Kalantar, Director of Licensing and Registration Department at the Dubai Maritime Authority, praised the Dubai Ports Police Station’s efforts in supporting DMCA to develop a solid foundation for enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the maritime sector. He commended the qualitative leap achieved in terms of formulating the legislations related to driving of marine crafts, promoting safe driving, and determining  speed limits which will positively reflect on the safety of beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts. Al Kalantar emphasized the commitment of DMCA to provide the necessary means to ensure the success of all marine safety initiatives that play a vital role in advancing the growth of the maritime sector in Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that DMCA has recently revealed its intention to make the Driving Maritime Crafts License mandatory in Dubai from January 2015. The move is consistent with the implementation of marine licensing policy that provides an integrated regulatory framework to translate the goals of the Marine Strategic Plan with an aim to enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s maritime sector and create an advanced and sustainable maritime sector.