DUBAI // Having lifeguards on public beaches would be a welcomed move, said the head of the police search and rescue.
“If introduced, this is something that is positive and we would welcome it,” said Maj Ali Al Naqbi.
A decision to put lifeguards on public beaches would, however, have to come from the Dubai Municipality.
“Currently, only hotels and private beaches have lifeguards and there is cooperation between us on that front,” Maj Al Naqbi said.
“There have been cases in which we have been called to come and assist.
“We also make it a point during high season to station car, jet ski and boat patrols.”
He said that his unit recorded 28 cases, where 40 people experienced difficulty swimming at beaches last year. Of these, three died.
In 2013, the unit recorded 35 cases involving 46 people, with three dying.
The numbers relate to incidents of drowning only and do not take into account fatalities caused to other maritime-related incidents, such as boat collisions.
“We have had a decrease in cases since last year and we are thankful for that,” Maj Al Naqbi said.
He said awareness campaigns have contributed to the decrease in number.
“Last year, we had a couple of cases of children drowning in pools. We also had one case of a boat that went up in flames with 11 people on board.
“The beach area near the Burj Al Arab remains one of the busiest places and where most drowning incidents occur.
“We urge people to follow instructions and always watch out for red flags, which means the waters can have strong currents and it’s dangerous.”
Maj Al Naqbi said his unit was prepared 24 hours a day, seven days a week and took extra precautions on weekends and on holidays.
“We make it a point to go on patrols during holidays because there is an influx of people going to the beach,” he said.
“Although we are always on call, we try to stay out of sight so people do not feel uncomfortable. After all, we do want them to enjoy their time.”
Maritime rescue points are at Al Hamriya Port, at the Floating Bridge on Dubai Creek, Jumeirah Port 1 fishermen’s docks 1, 2 and 3, Jumeirah Port 4, Umm Suqeim and Port Rashid.
Maj Al Naqbi said there were plans to increase the number of maritime rescue patrols stations in line with the increase in population and the building of the new canal. “We have 76 divers and 47 boat drivers dispersed around the emirate, who train every single day,” he said.
“Once we get a call from the operations unit, at least six officers are dispatched using one of our boats, a jet ski and a 4x4 vehicle.
“The situation is then quickly reassessed to decide which one of the three units will execute the rescue.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
