Filipina tourist drops gold chain in Hatta dam, Dubai Police divers retrieve it

A Filipina tourist who recently dropped her gold chain in Hatta dam was relieved after divers from a special police unit went into the water to retrieve it.

After seeking the help of Dubai Police, divers from the Ports Police Station, Martime Rescue Department, promptly showed up at the location. Within minutes, they retrieved her gold chain.

Major Marwan Al Kaabi, head of marine and rescue unit, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview that the command-and-control centre of the General Department of Operations had received a report from a tourist in Hatta area. in which she stated that her gold chain had slipped into the water while she was standing on the edge of the floating pier and photographing the landscape.

The woman was obviously upset over the loss of the gold chain. To make the tourist happy, rescue divers from the marine rescue unit recovered the gold chain.

Gratitude

This was done within a few minutes, leaving an impressive impression on the tourist. She narrated how happy she was with the service she received from Dubai Police, without any charges, and expressed her gratitude for the efforts of the police officers and the role of the rescue divers in helping the public.

Major Al Kaabi urged community members to exercise caution when standing on the edge of a dam or any other place exposed to danger.

“People must place their mobile phones, valuables items in safe places, away from the edge of the dam, the floating dock, or while engaging in sports and marine activities that require physical movement or any other activity,” he said.

Non-stop work

The incident is just one among hundreds the team solves around the year.

Major Al Kaabi said the Dubai Police maritime rescue unit attended to 26 marine reports since the beginning of 2025.

Major Al Kaabi confirmed their readiness to ensure the safety and the security of Dubai beaches and waters. “We are ready to deal with emergencies on the beaches and we are alert to respond appropriately to any form of accidents,” he said.

Major Al Kaabi called on beachgoers to adhere to safety warnings and comply with advisories related to maritime currents. “If the flag is red then it is not allowed to swim due to rough conditions of the sea and high waves. People should follow safety instructions.”

Major Al Kaabi explained that the department is providing their female teammates more comprehensive tasks, more courses and full marine missions including rescue, diving, and first aid.

“We try to give them a great degree of academic knowledge in addition to practical training,” he said.

The department frequently carries out awareness initiatives for people in cooperation with partners, especially now during periods summer period to avoid drowning incidents. A specialised rescue team of divers in Hatta deal with cases that occur during flooded valleys, and recovering lost items from valleys and dams.

Night beach challenges

Nighttime at the beaches has become a real challenge. Different cultures come together, but unfortunately, many don’t follow the necessary safety rules, which causes a series of problems. One major issue is the absence of clear spot markers, making it harder to monitor swimmers. To tackle this, authorities have deployed three patrol teams, each with seven to eight rescuers ready to respond quickly. Additionally, rescue boats are on standby, staffed by a captain, an assistant, and two more rescuers, all working tirelessly to keep everyone safe.

Five deaths because of drowning

Dubai Police have reported five deaths because of drowning since the beginning of the year, prompting urgent calls for greater awareness and caution at the beach and in swimming pools.

Major Al Kaabi said many incidents involved people with poor swimming skills, or those who ventured too far from safe zones or swam near underwater rocks.

"Most of these tragedies could have been avoided,” he said. “Many victims were swimming outside the designated areas or during unsafe conditions like high tide or poor visibility.”

Parental responsibility

Major Al Kaabi emphasized the critical role parents play in preventing drowning accidents.

“Never leave your children alone on the beach, even if there are lifeguards around,” he said. “Drowning can happen in just two to three minutes in a pool and within five minutes at sea.”

Authorities stress that the Arabian Gulf’s conditions can change quickly. As evening falls, waves grow stronger and visibility drops, increasing the risk of accidents.

Swimmers are urged to follow beach safety signs and instructions from Dubai Municipality lifeguards.