Pleasure cruises on Dubai Creek - halted for two days after a dhow capsized in Bahrain killing 58 - are being allowed to resume normal operations after ensuring compliance with safety standards, it has been learnt.
"The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), in co-ordination with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) decided to allow the cruises to function [yesterday], but they have instructed them that no one can use the upper deck until all cruise vessels go through a safety check," said Adnan Al Abbar, DPA Chief Operating Officer.
He added that the double check on all dhows and cruise boats will be undertaken immediately to ensure they were following health and safety laws.
On Sunday all cruise and dhow operators on the Dubai Creek were issued with an order stopping all sailing by the Dubai Ports Authority in the creek.
"Our regular cruises have been stopped. We can only offer our entertainment and meals while being docked. The ships have been asked not to sail in the creek for a few days as safety measures were being finalised," an official from a Dubai-based-tour company who asked not to be named said yesterday.
Another cruise ship source, asking not to be named, said the seaworthiness of many floating restaurants and dhows were compromised by unchecked redesigning of interiors to meet entertainment demands. "I expect the condition of those boats will have to be reviewed," the company owner added.
Al Abbar said the temporary closure was related to the recent Bahrain cruise tragedy, where overloading and mismanagement is being blamed for the deaths of 58 passengers, including a Sharjah-based Indian couple.
"The DPA and DTCM had asked the cruises to be stopped... and the objective was they were worried because of the safety of people," said the ports official.
Issues like lack of fire exits, over-crowding and licensing for specific function were all highlighted by the March 30 tragedy in Bahrain.
The Al Dana dhow in Bahrain was reportedly not licensed to cruise, was greatly overloaded, and many of those who died are believed to have been trapped below-deck when the ship capsized last week.
© 7Days 2006
