Dubai sets up body to govern jet skis

DUBAI // Jet ski licensing, registration and regulation will be handled by a new regulatory body in Dubai from August 8. Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will take over the role, which was previously held by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). In a statement released today, the DMCA stressed the importance of all jet ski owners registering and insuring their vehicles. While the marine authority has no immediate plans for a major overhaul of the sport, it does hope to end confusion about the legalities of owning and operating a jet ski. "It is a legal requirement to register every jet ski which may operate or moor in the territorial and inland waterways of Dubai," it said in a statement. "This helps to ensure that the jet skis are adequately equipped with the appropriate equipment such as life saving appliances. It also helps to ensure that jet skis are safe to operate and any defects are rectified in a timely and efficient manner." Many jet ski owners currently operate unregistered vehicles, perhaps unaware that it is a legal requirement. Others choose to travel to different emirates to ski in open waters where legislation does not yet exist.