DMCA Hosts Joint Meeting of Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has hosted a coordinative and consultative meeting among concerned government departments, officials of the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team, representatives of cruise organizers and cruise lines, and various other private and public sector maritime entities to discuss strategic priorities for the 2013-2014 maritime season in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in Dubai.

Held at Port Rashid’s cruise ship anchorage, the meeting began with a review of recent progress and significant lessons learned from past maritime seasons particularly with regards to maritime safety. Attendees agreed on various major priorities for the new cruise season, including the development of strategies for health care, medical evacuation, fire fighting, and management of marine debris. They concurred that these should be planned and implemented according to the highest local and international environmental standards and guidelines. The goal is to complement efforts to develop a renewed and secure maritime sector that serves the local, regional and international maritime community.

The meeting was attended by representatives from a number of prominent strategic partners, including the General Administration of Civil Defense, the General Command of Dubai Police, DP World, Dubai’s Immigration and Passports Department, DTCM, and the National Emergency Crises and Disasters Management Authority. DMCA officials were also present.

DMCA Executive Director Amer Ali emphasized the commitment of public and private sector stakeholders to intensify efforts to develop response plans for cruise ships plying Dubai’s territorial waters in order to reflect common aspirations towards consolidating Dubai’s leading position in maritime and international tourism. He pointed out that successive achievements in the maritime field are a result of fruitful cooperation between DMCA and its strategic partners in establishing a clear framework for adopting the highest standards of quality, best safety practices, and supportive regulatory actions. These, he noted, are all aligned with efforts to uplift Dubai and the entire UAE as one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the world.

Ali noted that the Cruise Ship Emergency Response Task Force Team, has made significant achievements over the past maritime seasons, particularly in terms of improving the safety of passengers and crew of cruise ships moored in Dubai. He pointed out that there is a full commitment to continue supporting the team in their quest to apply international best practices that will enhance the readiness to cope with various possible emergencies on cruise ships in territorial waters.

“We look forward to implementing a series of actions and initiatives as well as practical exercises to test communication, monitoring systems, and controls on cruise ships. We will also identify key areas for enhancing the safety of beaches and vessels moored within our local marinas which are considered among the best in the world,” added Ali.

[mappress]

DMCA, October 28, 2013