DoT urges Abu Dhabi residents to register watercraft

DoT urges Abu Dhabi residents to register watercraft Staff Reporter / 18 August 2013 The DoT has set a clear and easy personal watercraft (Jet Ski) registration process through which owners visit the Unified Centre in the Mina area to complete the inspection of their craft, followed by filling out a registration application by owners or representatives (with Power of Attorney). Owners have been told to bring along a number of valid documents to ensure a smooth registration process including copies of UAE identity cards; bill of sale (or any other proof of ownership); customs clearance certificates (if applicable); valid insurance policy for 13 months issued by a licensed insurer in the UAE, in addition to any other documents that the DoT may deem necessary for registration and licensing of personal watercrafts. Furthermore, the DoT has announced the areas in which watercrafts are not allowed in Abu Dhabi waters due to safety and/or environmental considerations. These PWC-prohibted waters are the Corniche, Al Bateen, Ras Al Akhdar, Al Maqta Khor, North Saadiyat Island (in which motorised boats are also not allowed) and Al Raha Beach. In all other PWC-allowed waters, personal watercraft users are required by law to observe speed limits, marine signs and all other rules related to the use of Personal Watercrafts (Jet Ski). DoT’s acting director of the Maritime Sector Humaid Saber Al Hameli said: “The registration of watercrafts highlights the DoT’s commitment to enabling a larger segment of PWC owners to practise their water activities in accordance with standards that ensure highest levels of safety, security and protection of watercraft owners, other water users as well as natural and environment-sensitive areas in Abu Dhabi. “This registration process as well as decisions issued by Abu Dhabi relating to licensing and registering watercrafts aim to optimise the rapidly growing status of the emirate as one of the key destinations for water sports.” The DoT has also recently begun the registration of watercrafts owned by rental companies available for hire to the public. Reacting to the announcement, French resident of the Capital Vivien Martinez said, “I would think it’s an annoyance for any owner to have to pay extra costs and go through a bureaucratic process to register their motorsport vehicle, but I do not own one, so I can’t tell for sure.” As a “beach pedestrian”, it’s a good thing that motor boats and jet skis would be kept away from the shores of public beaches, she said. “There are often jet ski riders going at high speed and playing about close to the beaches just to show off. That in itself wouldn’t bother me, but it’s not safe. There are people swimming about and these jet skis don’t see them sometimes — several times I’ve seen near-fatal accidents.” silvia@khaleejtimes.com (With inputs from Wam) Taylor Scott International