The municipality has suspended operations of the company involved in the parasailing accident that killed a 10-year-old British boy on Friday.
"We have shut water sports activities in the Jumeirah Beach Park until the investigation is completed. Police are investigating the matter and so are our technical team," said a top Dubai Municipality official.
He said action would be taken against the company, Seven Seas Marine Group of Companies whose equipment was used for parasailing, if it was proved that the accident happened due to negligence or faulty equipment.
He said the company got permission from the Parks and Horticulture Department of the municipality about two years ago. "Our inspectors regularly check equipment to ensure public safety," he said.
He said there are no rules that a 10-year-old boy cannot go parasailing. "All the companies' operation from the municipality parks are fully covered by insurance and any damages can be claimed from the insurance company," he said.
He said there was no warning on Friday for bad weather conditions. On Friday, Tony Leaden died after he was swept away while parasailing in windy conditions and crashed on to the roof of a mosque.
Ragesh Padavatty, operations manager at the company, said the equipment used is regularly updated and checked. "There was no problem with the rope. The wind was just too strong," he said
He said he did not know what the minimum age limit was for parasailing.
Parasailing rules and security measures remain sketchy with no body authorised to regulate it in the UAE.
An official at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) said neither the club nor the Dubai Water Sports Association provide parasailing facilities. Therefore, no guidelines exist for the sport, said Patrick Francis, press officer from DIMC.
"Parasailing is not available at the club as it is not a competitive sport. There is no parasailing competition and we have no regulations for it. It is considered an extreme sport and there should be an age limit. A 10-year-old should not be allowed to do it," he said.
"There needs to be a governing body for this sport, especially in the wake of Friday's tragedy," he said.
Boat crew members 'were not well qualified'
The two crew members on the boat involved in the parasailing accident do not have enough experience in the sport and are not well qualified for the job, said a senior police official.
"We are investigating the crew who were on the boat. They will be referred to the public prosecution on charges of causing unnatural death," said Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Deputy Director of the Preventive Security of Dubai Police.
Ten-year-old Tony Leaden died when strong winds snapped the cord of his parasail and crashed him on to the roof of a mosque in Jumeirah.
The police official said the cord broke due to strong winds and the child was too young to deal with the situation or save himself.
The child suffered head injuries and severe bleeding from his left ear. The left part of his skull was broken.
His body was handed over to the family on Friday.
"The company is licensed, but it should not have allowed a young boy to go parasailing, especially in the bad weather on that day," he said.
Brigadier Mahdi said there was a previous warning from the meteorological department about the weather.
The ports police station is handling the case and technical experts are investigating the cause of the accident. "We urge families to be careful when engaging in water sports, especially in bad weather conditions. We have issued orders for police patrols to stop anybody from engaging in any water sport in bad weather."
Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
Gulf News
