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November 17, 2014. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai's maritime sector, has announced the positive findings of the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team, following a series of cooperative meetings on emergency drills at Port Rashid. The move is part of DMCA's strong cooperation and coordination with various tourist companies, port operators, agents and cruise ship crew. The drills serve as a significant addition to the Authority's efforts to ensure the highest levels of maritime safety as a key pillar to building a revived and secure maritime sector in Dubai.
The drills have received positive response from cruise ship crews, namely Costa Neoriveria, Costa Fortuna, Aida Diva and MSC Liricia. All cruise vessels have reaffirmed their commitment to the requirements of the IMO-issued International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Mohammed Al-Bastaki, Director of Maritime Operations, DMCA, explained that all the cruise ships which participated in the emergency drills have achieved the desired objectives in varying degrees. He commended their robust commitment to the SOLAS Convention in terms of assembly points and passenger guidance and instructions on safety procedures during evacuation.
Al-Bastaki revealed that in order to maintain the highest degrees of safety for passengers and crew, every participating cruise ship sent an e-copy of its structure and body before arriving at Port Rashid. The drills featured the best practices in explaining maps of navigationally crowded areas while also shedding light on maneuver-banned water areas and procedures on watertight door closures.
Al-Bastaki added: “Safety vests were given to crew members, with colors different from those of the passengers in order to facilitate movement during evacuation. Magnetic strip cards were used for the passengers during the emergency drills, which sped up the passenger gathering process at assembly points. The port security accompanying the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team also played a pivotal role in providing safe routes across the port for emergency vehicles, ambulances and fire fighters to reach the site.”
The emergency drills reaffirm the robust performance and high readiness of the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team in facing various onboard emergency situations across Dubai ports. The team plays an important role in supporting DMCA's efforts in maintaining the highest standards of maritime safety, environmental security, and regulations to support Dubai's march to become one of the world's most prominent maritime hubs.
“The findings of the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team complement DMCA's commitment to achieve the best practices to enhance the safety of passengers and crew members. We are pleased with the positive response and effective contributions of the cruise ships and maritime companies such as RHS to the emergency drills. We are certain that these drills will contribute in our ongoing efforts to achieve integration between all aspects of maritime safety, secure navigation, and operational efficiency across Dubai's coasts. This will help drive the transformation of the local maritime cluster to the most integrated and distinctive in the world,” Al-Bastaki concluded.
The Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team is a joint venture between DMCA and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) to ensure the safety of cruise ships entering Dubai while also enhancing the emirate's readiness to handle any potential accidents in regional waters.
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