Sharjah24: The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, organized on Tuesday a free training course for driving small boats (up to 12 metres) for over 28 fishermen and boatowners, which was held for the first time in Sharjah as part of the government’s programs to enhance the security and safety of marine environment and procedures, as well as reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring awareness on legal matters pertaining to the operation of boats.
The course included sessions on various parts of the boat, towing it safely on a trailer or a car, as well as on the preparations needed and the procedures for making a sea trip. Other topics discussed were the maximum capacity load of boats, engine power and maintenance, as well as fuel management tips, wherein the audience were told to keep at least 30% of fuel capacity for emergency use.
Joint efforts to conserve the marine environment
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “We organized this training course in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure as part of our joint efforts to preserve the marine environment and enhance security and safety measures in it, thus contributing to the preservation of living organisms and plants in the marine ecosystem with the aim of reducing pollution levels resulting from dumping waste in seawater.”
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, stressed that educating fishermen and boat users about the importance of the environment and natural resources is part of the efforts undertaken by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority to preserve marine life in the United Arab Emirates, especially since the Arabian Gulf region is considered an environmentally protected area, where it is prohibited to throw wastes of all kinds to protect marine life, fisheries and beaches.
The course participants were acquainted with the instructions for inspection and maintenance of the boat, most notably the periodic inspection of the boat’s external structure as well as from the inside, verifying the absence of any cracks or fractures in the structure, cleaning it internally and externally, maintaining the efficiency of the ropes used to tie the boat, and using an appropriate cover to protect it from the sun’s rays as well as periodic inspection of the operating battery and fuel tank to ensure their safety.
The lecturer provided various tips on how to sail safely when leaving the pier and returning to it, and the most basic rules while sailing in order to maintain the safety of boats, vehicles and ships using the sea, as well as introducing the security and safety equipment that must be available on each boat, and the internationally recognized maritime distress signals and the marine accidents that can happen and how these can be avoided.
Obtaining a marine driving license
For his part, Abdulaziz Salem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Marine Sustainability Department at EPAA , also affirmed that part of the aim of the course, which targeted experienced fishermen, and will also be held in several stages throughout all the cities and regions of Sharjah, is to facilitate the process of obtaining a marine driving license, increasing their skills in using and maintaining boats, and the related legal aspects in addition to raising awareness on how they can contribute to protecting the marine environment by not throwing all kinds of waste and practicing safe fishing.
At the end of the course, the attendees were shown some examples of the time periods that waste and waste need to decompose in sea water. Paper waste takes from 2 to 4 weeks to decompose, while plastic bottles and waste take about 450 years. They also learned about the licensed use of boats to avoid legal accountability and administrative violations.
The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity through scientific studies and research. The authority publishes educational awareness material, implements policies for environmental awareness and programs, and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.
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