DUBAI: The Coastal Customs Centres Department at Dubai Customs has issued a Handbook of Marine Guidelines for Traditional Vessels, within the framework of its commitment to educate traditional customers; particularly shipmasters and seamen of traditional ships travelling to and from Dubai, raise the level of safety and security for Dubai Creek visitors, and reduce the procedural offences and violations that can cause dangers, such as wooden ships caught on fire or overloading these ships.
The move comes as part of Dubai Customs commitment to deliver best services to targeted customers. The release of the handbook was accompanied by the launch of an awareness program of wooden ships, in line with the safety and security plan approved by the Dubai Executive Council’s Health and Safety Committee, in cooperation with Dubai Customs strategic partners, including the Dubai Maritime City and the Directorate General of Civil Defence-Dubai.
Butti Al Zafri, Director of Coastal Customs Centres at Dubai Customs, said: “The release of the handbook reflects the Department’s strive to educate crew members, particularly of traditional ships, of the dangers of not complying with safety and security procedures. It comes as part of the Department’s CSR initiatives to spread awareness of various daily life matters among customers.”
The handbook contains amble information that are of great value to traditional ship’s crewmembers. Being released in four languages: Arabic, English, Persian and Urdu, the handbook includes Dubai Customs’ strategy (vision, mission, objectives and values), a list of customs centres and clearance points: Al Hamariya, Creek, Creek Entry, Coastal Berth, Al Khour Marine Operations building, Al Butain Clearance Point and Al Riqqa Clearance Point, along with a map that clearly indicates the location of customs centres.
