DMCA conducts ‘Man Overboard’ drill to enhance sea emergency response

Dubai Marina Yacht Club & vessel operators join successful maritime preparedness exercise

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of Dubai’s maritime sector, recently conducted an emergency drill at the Lagoon Area in Dubai to simulate the proper response to the ‘Man Overboard’ scenario. The exercise was conducted in cooperation with Dubai Marina Yacht Club (DMYC) and included 26 participants of vessel operators and three maritime operating companies.

The activity was held as part of DMCA’s safety campaign aimed at inculcating a strong culture of maritime safety and ensuring that all seafarers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle all types of emergencies swiftly, efficiently and effectively. It focused on the protocols and procedures to follow should a person accidentally fall off a vessel. The proper and timely response to the ‘Man Overboard’ scenario is critical for protecting victims from drowning, hypothermia, and other life-threatening situations. Participants were taught how to quickly and safely deploy the man overboard recovery system and what specific actions they should perform.

Abdullah Bin Tawk, Senior Manager, Maritime Inspection, DMCA, said: “A crew member or passenger accidentally falling off a vessel is always a serious situation that requires a fast and precise response. The recent exercise we conducted at the Lagoon Area Dubai successfully demonstrated the exact procedures to be done during ‘Man Overboard’ situations and we are very pleased with the performance and preparedness displayed by the participants during the simulated emergency. We thank all the government and private agencies who joined us for the drill and urge all maritime sectors to cooperate with us in raising Dubai’s maritime safety to world-class standards as it works towards becoming a leading global maritime hub.”

Each year the DMCA oversees emergency drills to assess the ability of vessel operators, port facility personnel and seafarers to maintain safety and security and respond appropriately to emergencies. The exercises are regularly supported by the Authority’s strategic partners such as the Dubai Police, Civil Defense, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Ports World, and the Roads & Transport Authority.