Dubai Maritime Authority
DMCA signs a MOU with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors
Tuesday, July 05, 2022
The Dubai Maritime City Authority at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for developing of the recreational scuba diving and enhancing the Marine Leisure industry in the Emirate of Dubai.
According to the MOU, signed by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), and Jonas Samuelsson, Territory Director, from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the two parties seek to enhance ways of cooperation between them in terms of strengthening joint efforts to develop the scuba diving, as well as promote environmental awareness to help protect the marine environment.
In this context, Sheikh Saeed said that the MOU comes within the framework of the Authority's plan to promote and develop the Marine Leisure sector in the emirate, referring to the Authority's keenness to support, encourage and promote safe diving sports with a level of responsibility and environmental safety by providing the necessary qualifications and certificates to ensure compliance with to the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
The Executive Director of the Authority confirmed that the MOU provides all the necessary means of support by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors to assist the DMCA in verifying the validity of the trainer's certificate issued by the PADI, which is subsequently submitted to the Maritime Authority, by exchanging experiences and best practices.
Sheikh Saeed explained that virtual seminars and workshops will be held with the aim of raising awareness about the scuba diving and its latest developments, especially with regard to risk management methods, adding that the MOU includes holding other initiatives related to raising environmental awareness by organizing events, seminars and campaigns to educate diving professionals in the context of protecting the waters of Dubai.
Sheikh Saeed said: "DMCA is pleased to sign a MOU with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, as one of the world's leading companies in diving training, especially with the association's emphasis on supporting Dubai's aspirations to develop, promote and organize diving training in an environmentally sound manner within Dubai's waters specifically, and the United Arab Emirates in general”.
For his part, Jonas Samuelsson said: “On behalf of PADI EMEA, I would like to express how privileged we are to have agreed in a MOU with Dubai Maritime City Authority, as part of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation to apply a plan outlining the development of the recreational scuba diving and diving tourism industry in the region. PADI would like to extend its special appreciation to Shaikh Saeed AlMaktoum for his support ensuring this important agreement was implemented”.
He continued: “PADI EMEA reinforces with the MOU our mission as the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization, operating in 186 countries and territories, with a global network of more than 6,600 dive centers and resorts and over 128,000 professional members worldwide to enable people around the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel”.
Samuelsson added that PADI EMEA is planning to conduct PADI Member Forums in Dubai later this year to update all PADI Members in the region.
Samuelsson assured that PADI EMEA is proud to work close with Dubai Maritime City Authority of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation with a common goal of ensuring high standards of diver training and environmental conservation is achieved while growing the marine leisure sector and diving tourism industry.