Safety first as Dubai's RTA carries out mock collision out at sea

Authorities have successfully carried out a safety drill simulating a collision between a boat and a Dubai Ferry vessel carrying 50 people

Dubai's RTA carried out a drill simulating a collision between Dubai Ferry and a boat near Rashid Port. Courtesy RTA
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Authorities have successfully carried out a safety drill simulating a collision between a boat and a Dubai Ferry vessel carrying 50 people, off the coast of the emirate.

The exercise, held 2.5 nautical miles off of Rashid Port, included the triggering of a fire in the rear of the ferry.

The Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Police were helped by the Armed Forces, Civil Defence, and Dubai Ambulance Services.

“It required a quick response for rescuing passengers and taking necessary actions to restore RTA’s services,” said Ahmed Bahrozyan, head of the authority's emergency and crisis management team.

The drill simulated a fire onboard the ferry. Courtesy RTA
The drill simulated a fire onboard the ferry. Courtesy RTA

He said that the objectives of the exercise included testing the speed of response by emergency services and the level of co-ordination between all departments and authorities involved.
The drill is part of an annual plan aimed at raising the levels of preparedness of emergency and crises teams.

The drill mocked a situation where 50 ferry passengers were in peril. Courtesy RTA
The drill mocked a situation where 50 ferry passengers were in peril. Courtesy RTA

“It reveals to what extent these teams are ready to intervene and contain such accidents if occurred under any condition, God forbids. We are therefore keen to carry out such drills periodically with several government & semi-government entities in the Emirate,” said Mr Bahrozyan.

DP World, Rashid Port and Dubai Maritime City Authority also supported the exercise.