Date Published: Oct 22, 2025
Dubai’s waters attract thousands of residents and visitors every year for swimming, yachting, and watersports. The demand for adventure and leisure continues to rise, but so does the need for responsible management at sea. Recognizing this, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) has issued Circular No. (23) of 2025. The circular sets clear safety measures for swimming and watersports conducted from vessels within the emirate.
This regulation is not a suggestion. It is a binding directive designed to protect lives, safeguard the marine environment, and preserve Dubai’s reputation for high safety standards in the maritime sector. Every owner, operator, and crew member of a commercial or chartered vessel must now understand and apply these rules as part of their Standard Operating Procedures.
Risk Assessment Comes First
Before a single person enters the water, the new circular requires a thorough risk assessment. This is the foundation of safe maritime practice. Weather, sea conditions, current strength, and visibility must be evaluated. The swimming ability and health of participants also need to be considered. If the risks cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, the activity must be postponed or cancelled.
This approach removes guesswork from decision-making. It ensures that safety comes before convenience. Each assessment must be documented and integrated into the vessel’s activity plan so that every operation has a clear, accountable structure.
Choose the Right Location
The circular places strict limits on where swimming and watersports can take place. Activities are to be conducted only in designated safe zones, away from navigation channels, anchorage areas, or any high-traffic zone. Private areas require prior permission, and no activity should interfere with marina or port access.
This is about spatial awareness and respect for shared maritime space. The sea may appear open and free, but in Dubai’s busy waters, controlled coordination prevents accidents and confusion.
Environmental and Operational Awareness
The DMA highlights that conditions must be constantly monitored. The crew should only proceed when visibility, sea state, and wind are safe. Rapid changes in the Gulf’s conditions can catch even experienced skippers off guard. Good judgment, backed by accurate observation, remains the best form of prevention.
Safe Positioning and Propulsion Control
One of the key operational requirements is to anchor or securely moor the vessel before anyone enters the water. Propulsion systems must be disengaged, and propellers completely still. This rule has zero room for compromise. Propeller injuries are among the most serious incidents recorded in recreational boating, and complete shutdown of propulsion eliminates that risk.
Continuous Lookout and Crew Discipline
The circular requires a dedicated swimmer lookout. This must be a competent crew member whose sole responsibility is to maintain constant visual contact with all swimmers. They must stay in communication with the helm and cannot be given other tasks during the activity.
It may sound simple, but many accidents happen when supervision is split or distracted. A trained lookout ensures that help is immediate if a swimmer drifts, shows distress, or fails to respond to recall signals.
Certified Lifeguards on Board
Any vessel conducting swimming or watersports regularly must have at least one crew member holding an approved lifeguard certification. This includes open-water rescue, CPR, and first aid. Proof of certification must be available on board.
This requirement brings professional lifesaving standards into recreational operations. Having a lifeguard-certified crew member bridges the gap between adventure and safety assurance. It also raises customer confidence, especially in the tourism sector.
Pre-Activity Safety Briefings
Before anyone enters the water, passengers must receive a clear safety briefing. The crew must explain entry and exit points, hazards, emergency signals, and the overall safety plan. When passengers understand the rules, they cooperate better and react faster during emergencies.
Supervision only works when everyone shares the same understanding of safety procedures.
Fitness and Proficiency Checks
Every participant must be verified as fit and capable of swimming in open water. Those with limited swimming ability, children, or anyone with medical conditions must wear buoyancy aids and remain under close watch. The circular also enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol use during swimming or watersports.
These measures protect participants from overestimating their ability and ensure that rescue resources are not strained by preventable incidents.
Separate Swimming and Watersports Activities
Swimming and watersports must not take place at the same time or within the same area. The master must complete one activity, recover all participants, and ensure everyone is safely on board before beginning another. This rule reduces the risk of collision, entanglement, and distraction among crew.
The sea can change quickly, and separation of activities gives the crew full control over what is happening in the water at any moment.
Equipment and Emergency Readiness
Every vessel must carry life buoys, throw lines, boarding ladders, and a first aid kit. Buoyancy aids or lifejackets are strongly encouraged for open-water use. The crew must agree on recall signals before the start of any activity and have a rescue plan ready to execute immediately if needed.
The combination of planning, practice, and equipment readiness transforms response time into life-saving action.
Protecting the Marine Environment
Finally, the circular reminds all operators to respect marine life and comply with environmental protection regulations. Safety and sustainability go hand in hand. Avoiding damage to coral, marine habitats, and wildlife ensures that Dubai’s waters remain safe and enjoyable for generations.
Setting a Higher Standard for Maritime Safety
Circular No. (23) of 2025 marks a turning point for recreational and commercial water activities in Dubai. It strengthens accountability among operators, enforces structured safety planning, and introduces professional oversight through certified lifeguards.
For vessel owners, compliance is not just a regulatory requirement. It is a reflection of professionalism and respect for human life. Adopting these measures will protect passengers, crew, and Dubai’s reputation as a global maritime destination built on trust, discipline, and safety.
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Luke Cunningham
Co-Founder & Managing Director
