February 6 2014
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA)
has issued a new resolution imposing further operational regulations and
requirements on public and private marine clubs and marinas in Dubai. It
complements Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2013 on the Implementing
Regulations (IR) of Resolution No. 11 of 2010 governing the licensing of marine
crafts in the emirate of Dubai. The resolution will help in the creation of an
integrated framework to ensure compliance with the highest standards of
maritime safety and best international practices to promote the industry’s
regional and global competiveness while positioning Dubai as a first-class
international maritime hub.
According to DMCA Executive Director Amer
Ali, the new regulations form part of the Authority’s vision of creating a
vibrant, secure and world-class maritime sector via the integration of maritime
safety, operational efficiency and secure navigation. Ali explained that marine
clubs, marinas and recreational marine vessels are integral to the growth of
the local maritime sector which is regarded as a key pillar in achieving
comprehensive and sustainable development in line with the directives of the
UAE leadership.
“Through the implementation of the recently
launched resolution, we look forward to making a difference in the regulation
of recreational marine vessels and local marinas in Dubai. This will have a
positive impact on the emirate’s maritime sector and cement its position among
the leading maritime destinations in the world,” Ali said.
The resolution introduced by DMCA
stipulates various requirements for the safe operation and environmental
practices of all public and private marine clubs and marines in Dubai. These
entities will be mandated to perform the necessary procedures to organize
mooring areas, number sidewalks, separate recreational marine crafts from
commercial types, and designate mooring zones for non-motorized sailing boats
in close proximity to designated maritime routes.
Captain Khamis
Weld Gmeel, Senior Manager, Marine Traffic Operations, Dubai Maritime City
Authority, said: “The resolution requires that control towers
oversee the movement of marine crafts along the Dubai coastline, and that
upcoming fuel stations be located at the entrance of every marina and marine
club in Dubai. It also mandates the development of workshops for boat
maintenance, sales of safety and navigation tools, and proper supervision and
monitoring of safety and firefighting systems installed on marine sidewalks.”
The new regulatory guidelines enforce
strict safety requirements on marine clubs and marinas and the proper licensing
of marine vessels and crew members. It also requires the securing of all
necessary approvals and permits from concerned authorities when organizing
maritime sports events or when foreign cruise ships enter local mooring areas.
In terms of the environment, the resolution
stipulates the designation of safe areas for collecting waste from anchored
marine vessels as well as the allocation of tanks for storing oil waste and
oil-contaminated water. Marine vessels are also required to install dump lines
in their septic systems and plug into shore power at berth. The placement of
warning signs in marine clubs is also a must to help prevent water pollution in
line with ongoing local efforts to create a clean and sustainable environment.
In addition, marine clubs and marinas will
be responsible for monitoring members at sea and communicate with them and
inform them of all navigation circulars issued by the DMCA. They will also have
to make sure that all marine vessels and crew members are licensed by the
Authority and have valid insurance and driving licenses applicable to multiple
categories. Moreover, the resolution requires marine clubs and marinas to
properly manage records of marine vessels and their respective crew members. It
also prohibits the use of marine vessels categorized as recreational for
commercial fishing; violations will be subject to fines and legal prosecution.
