Abu Dhabi, July 11th, 2010 (WAM) -- The Maritime Sector in the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi and its strategic partner, the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) has announced plans to introduce new policy reforms for Abu Dhabi waterways management.

This was announced during a seminar on Personal Water Craft (PWC) - also known as "Jet Ski" held recently. The seminar, held under the theme Ride Safe, was attended by senior representatives from government agencies, private sector as well as aficionados of the adventure sport.

The seminar focused on Law No. 7 of 2006 and its regulations No. 36 of 2007, specifying the licensing and rental use of PWC, and the role of the government as well as the private sector in jurisdiction and implementation of the resolutions therein.

Captain Waleed Khalid, Project Manager at Waterways Management, said the seminar was aimed at arriving to a common framework to maintain the safety, security and the requisite environment for PWC users and watercraft users in general across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The forum also reviewed the regulations concerning the requirements for PWC rental facilities.

During the seminar, the DoT - Maritime Sector discussed the DoT Chairmans recommendations and the necessary provisions to be introduced, encompassing compulsory licensing for PWC individual users, adopting a mechanism for training institutes competent to license individuals, compulsory insurance, registration of PWC, registration of identification number plates, safety stickers for every PWC, signage, safety equipment and launching sites.

The forum also discussed general guidelines on the stipulated speed limits, necessary distance regulations to be maintained as also the zone rules for water use areas for effective optimization of the Abu Dhabi waterways.

The seminar will be followed by an awareness campaign by the department soon, added Capt. Waleed Khalid. The seminar also discussed the laws of waterways management, to be soon made available. The law will shed light on the regulation and management of all recreational ferry activities for both commercial and governmental organizations, including creating and management of maritime infrastructure such as floating houses, public marinas and jetties; zone demarcation for commercial, recreational and water transportation and nautical charts in order to achieve the goals set by the Government of Abu Dhabi as part of its Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. There was also an interactive questions and answer session at the end of seminar.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.