Experts:No alternative to safety,watersport

Dubai Some of the top minds in watersport safety have reiterated their resolve in lowering the consequences of incidents that occur on the water. "While we never be able to be in a position to completely annihilate incidents and accidents on the water, there is a hope in lowering the consequences that occur following incidents that take place during the race," Bob Wartinger told delegates in his opening address on the first day of the Safety and Performance Seminar for Powerboat Racing that opened at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) Wednesday. "Countries around the world have their issues with safety during a race, and what the UAE and the DIMC have done to rectify these issues is to be commended. The UAE has led the way in carrying out intensive studies so that our drivers are safer on the water today than they were before," he added. Statistics over the past decade indicate that powerboat racing has claimed between three to eight victims due to accidents around the world. While other sports like Formula One have brought down the fatality rate to zero, our figures involving incidents on the water has remained the same. There is a lot to learn from these incidents," Wartinger noted. The two-day seminar, being held on the sidelines of the 20th Dubai International Boat Show in association with the UIM and the UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAEMSF), was opened by Ahmad Mohammad Bin Thani, Director of Board and Chairman of DIMC, along with Saeed Hareb, President, UAEMSF and DIMC Board Members Ahmad Ebrahim and Huraiz Bin Huraiz, among others.