Marine emergency hotline launched in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Authorities have urged the public to call the new dedicated hotline 996 to report marine emergencies.

The Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA), the government body in charge of the marine waters off Abu Dhabi, announced that the hotline will help residents report incidents at sea, such as drownings, and get emergency help.

"Last year, we had eight cases of drowning reported in our waters. These unfortunate events must not happen. 996 will help channel emergency services to reach people in times of need in the shortest time possible," said Staff Brigadier Engineer Muhair Ali Al Khateri, Director General of CNIA.

"A highly-trained CNIA team will take appropriate action to alert necessary rescue services once a call is received on the hotline," he said.

The launch of the service follows the kick-off of the Bihar awareness campaign aimed at educating people about safety procedures.

The three-month campaign also focuses on increasing public awareness of existing regulations and advises them on the penalties for flouting the rules.

"The type and size of marine species that can be caught, the prohibited areas for swimming and fishing, the reasons why these areas are prohibited and how to recognise them will be part of the campaign," said Al Khateri.

"Its objective is to ensure personal safety by educating beachgoers, swimmers, sailors and jet skiers about safety at sea. Educating the public is an important step in protecting the marine environment," he said.

People often break the law unknowingly by swimming or fishing in a prohibited area and end up being referred to the court for action. Such instances can be curbed, he added.

As part of the CNIA campaign, held under the slogan "Be Safe", authorities will organise events at several shopping malls to reach out to citizens and visitors.

Meetings with the fishing community will help familiarise them with the CNIA and also to introduce them to the authority in charge of supervising implementation of the rules.

The role of CNIA was recently extended to include the Coast Guards, Maritime Police and Marine Fisheries from the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi.