Sports
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) Continue reading
All new Dubai mosques will be eco-friendly
All new Dubai mosques will be eco-friendly Ahmed Shaaban / 18 August 2013 All mosques to be built in Dubai starting next year will be environment-friendly. Dubai’s Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) secretary-general Tayeb Al Rais said the first of these eco-mosques, which is also the first in the Middle East, was expected to be completed and opened in the first quarter of next year, with some 60 per cent of the work already finished. “We do want to make all mosques built in the emirate in the future power- and water-saving, and help reduce harmful gas emissions from the air-conditioners.” The new eco-mosques would reduce water consumption by 20 per cent and electricity by 25 per cent, he said. “All construction work at the mosque, named ‘Khalifa, the Merchant’, is being done according to the set schedule.” Al Rais said the Dh22-million mosque’s 25-metre-long minaret was now completed with work continuing on external decoration and the internal finish. The utility buildings and power station attached to the mosque had been completed. “The mosque, to be the biggest in the emirate, is being built in the Garhoud area…and can accommodate 3,500 worshippers.” The eco-mosque was being constructed in a total area of 105,000 square feet, he added. “Solar panels shall be used in heating ablution water, as well as imam accommodation and other utilities.” The mosque was equipped with a technique for recycling and purifying ablution water, and using it for agriculture work and the toilets. “Eco materials have been used in the construction of the mosque to be in line with the renewable power resources and heat insulation system.” The mosque was also using “advanced technology” to curb the use of harmful gases used in air-conditioning, he said. “This strategy is aimed to enhance the performance of these buildings, curb power and water consumption, and boost public health.” – ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Hamdan wins endurance race
Hamdan wins endurance race 18 August 2013 Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, emerged winner of the 130-km preparatory race of the World Endurance Cup 2014 held in Normandy, France, on Friday. At the end of the race, which was held in four stages, Shaikh Hamdan was crowned the champion amid a storm of applause by spectators who attended the race. Shaikh Hamdan kisses his horse.- WAM “I dedicate this win to all the young UAE riders and wish them good luck for the World Cup race next year,” said Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. According to Dubai-based Al Bayan Arabic daily, a total of 63 jockeys representing as many as 32 countries from across the globe too taken part in the race. Each participating country had two riders take part in the race, whereas three jockeys from UAE, Spain, France and Poland represented their countries, the paper said. The UAE team included Shaikh Hamdan, Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, and Abdullah Ghanim Al Meri. Shaikh Hamdan prevailed in the race riding his horse Nekos in an estimated time of 6.14.34 hours. Shaikh Hamdan rides with the UAE National flag.- WAM Shaikh Hamdan at the presentation ceremony after winning the endurance race in France.- WAM Continue reading
