UAE Energy launches ‘sail safely’ initiative to enhance maritime safety, security

The ministry of energy and infrastructure launched the ‘Sail Safely’ initiative, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the marine environment, enhance maritime safety and security, as well as protect people’s lives. The initiative includes an intensive training programme for captains of leisure and fishing boats to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards of operation in the sector, avoiding maritime accidents and protecting people’s lives. Through this free-of-cost programme, started earlier in August 2021, the ministry aims to increase safety among boat and leisure vessel owners since a large number of marine accidents are caused by small boats that are devoid of technologies that ensure safe sailing.

Commenting on the initiative, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure said: “With a coastline of over 1, 650 km, the sea is a key lifeline for us in the UAE as we largely depend on it in our daily lives. We desalinate seawater to get drinking water. The fishes and marine life are the main pillars of our food security and underneath the seabed lie our most important oil fields, from which we extract over 30 percent of our oil production. That’s why protecting our marine