#GALLERY: UAE Beaches

[Imre]

Press Release


Dubai Municipality launches advanced marine data collection network

State-of-the-art and high-tech radars will help take stock of changes in coastline

Dubai, 23 December 2008: Dubai Municipality has announced the launch of a marine data collection network using advanced and high-tech radars that will help the Municipality take stock of the nature of changes taking place in its coastline.

According to Alya Al Harmoudi, Head of Coastal Zone and Waterways Management Section at the Environment Department, the new system has started functioning recently and the primary data and images, that have been collected so far, were "highly accurate and exceeded our expectations."

She said several important and lively elements were captured such as the sea surface currents and the height, period and direction of the waves in the area between Port Rashid and Palm Jumeira where many big projects are concentrated.

"This is a quite unique project that is implemented for the first time in the Middle East region. The new system provides information in two-dimensional maps, instead of the existing one-stop data collection in which water current passes through an equipment that measures its strength and speed," she noted.

Al Harmoudi added that the project involves two base stations, one located in Jumeira, close to the Open Beach, and the other in Um Suqeim area. The new radars will emit electromagnetic rays over a length of more than 15 kilometers into the deep sea and with a frequency of 45 MHz. All the data retrieved by the Municipality using the radars would be made available to clients and concerned authorities very soon, she said.

She added that the comprehensive marine database owned by the section is highly crucial and it is being updated by means of the monitoring programme capturing information through hydrographic and topographic surveys, and marine wave and current measuring instruments in addition to Lider surveys for the sea-bed.

"This project is a practical translation of the vision laid down by Dubai Municipality in permanently assessing the nature of changes that take place on the emirate's coastline."

She added that the data gathered through the monitoring programme will be extremely valuable in assisting the design and planning of developments along the coast.

As a second phase of this project, works are currently on to fix six new cameras in various locations across the coastal zone. The section currently operates three video cameras, situated on the exoskeleton of the Burj Al Arab hotel, that provide regular video images that are processed to provide wave run-up and beach profile information. Information captured by the instruments is transferred to a website after completing automated quality check ups. The website provides the section with real time information on conditions along the coastal zone.

All coastal data gathered by the Municipality are now made available to consultants, planners and developers for use during planning and designing stages of their coastal projects. Parts of the information are also available on the section's website: www.dubaicoast.ae so that all members of the public, particularly those who frequently visit the beaches and sea-farers can have the necessary information.



Photos:
- A radar installed at Umm Suqeim Beach
- Data as captured by one of the radars

[christos-greece]

Interesting

[Imre]

31/December/2008

Beach

[Rekarte]

Good Pics

[Gregorious]

Is the whole Juneirah Beach man-made? Or only certain areas?

[Imre]

29/January/2009

beach, next to the Burj Al Arab

[christos-greece]

That pic is awesome!

[AltinD]

Yeah, look how that guy can keep the equiliber on top of the concrete block.

[christos-greece]

Easy... that concrete is not too high, and with little help its done

[Imre]

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To ensure safety of beach-goers

Swimming area marked in Umm Suqeim 2 beach


Dubai, 14 February 2009: Dubai Municipality has designated the swimming area in the Um Suqeim Second beach as a measure to improve the safety of beach-goers.

This was stated by Eng. Alya Al Harmoudi, Head of the Coastal Zone & Waterways Management Section at the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality, who noted that the move is necessary as beaches in Dubai are regarded as a major attraction for the residents and tourists alike.

"There are many people who visit the beaches to swim or just to unwind due to the year-round sunshine and the golden sands they offer. We are keen to preserve the beauty of these beaches and ensure the safety of the beach-goers," she said.

Al Harmoudi added that the swimming area in Um Suqeim Second beach has been clearly marked using swimmer safety demarcation system. The area, which stretches from the Fishing Harbour along the Beach to the Jumeira Beach Hotel, was identified after considering its depth that suits the swimmers, she noted.

"As this beach is considered one of the most famous public beaches in the Emirate and frequently used by thousands of visitors every year, it's very significant to clearly mark the swimming area. This way we can prevent swimmers from incurring inattentively into the sea especially as there are many people who are not good swimmers and do not abide by the instructions for the beach users," Al Harmoudi noted.

She urged all beach goers to be cautions while swimming in the beaches and take the necessary precaution especially at the time of drastic weather changes and to abide by the safety instructions before venturing into the sea.

"People should also avoid swimming very close to the breakwaters, groins and other rock structures on the beaches as the water current would be much stronger near these structures and this would endanger the lives of the swimmers. They should not also swim in the beaches during the swimming prohibited times like night hours and when the sea is rough."

She noted that Dubai Municipality has launched a website (www.dubaicoast.ae) to provide real-time information for the beach-goers as part of its coastal zone monitoring programme.

"Visitors to this website can obtain real-time information on the situation of the sea, that is captured by the Coastal Zone & Waterways Management Section using state-of-the-art appliances, installed along the emirate's coastal zone."

The information provided to the public through the website includes the height and direction of waves, water surface levels, water currents, speed and direction of winds, water and air temperature degrees, that are captured at the Jumeira open beach. The visitors can also watch live videos from the cameras installed on Burj Al Arab Hotel that show the situation of the sea and Umm Suqeim beaches.


- Photo shows the demarcated swimming area at Umm Suqeim 2 beach.

[Imre]

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Surfing not banned in Umm Suqeim Beaches

DM: safety of swimmers paramount


Dubai, 17 February 2009: Dubai Municipality has clarified that it has not banned surfing in Umm Suqeim Beaches but has only demarcated an area exclusively for swimmers whereas surfers can use others areas.

"This move comes taking into consideration the safety of a large number of swimmers who flock to this particular beach most of the day throughout the year. This doesn't mean that surfers are not allowed there. They can use areas beyond the demarcated area and other parts of the beach," said Alya Al Harmoudi, Head of Coastal Zone Management and Waterways Section at the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality.

She noted that reports published in a section of the press during the past two days regarding the ban on surfing are not true. One of the visitors was fined because he was not abiding by the rules and regulations specified for the use of the beach.

"Safety of beach users is paramount to Dubai Municipality. We've now demarcated this area for swimmers and are now studying the prospect of doing the same for surfers as well taking into consideration the waves and swell," Al Harmoudi said.

She added that Dubai Municipality welcomes comments from the public and they can use the website: www.dubaicoast.ae to share their ideas and suggestions in this regard.

"We will study them carefully for feasibility and to ensure the safety of all beach-users," she noted.

Al Harmoudi, however, pointed out that any type of professional training or commercial activity will not be allowed on the beaches unless the individuals or companies concerned have obtained the necessary permission to do so from the Coastal Zone Management and Waterways Section.

The swimming area in Umm Suqeim 2 beach has been clearly marked using buoys. The area, which stretches from the Fishing Harbour along the Beach to the Jumeira Beach Hotel, was identified after considering its depth that suits the swimmers, she noted.

She urged all beach goers to be caution while swimming in the beaches and take the necessary precaution especially at the time of drastic weather changes and to abide by the safety instructions before venturing into the sea.

"People should also avoid swimming very close to the breakwaters and other structures on the beaches as the water current could be much stronger and this would endanger the lives of the swimmers. They should not also swim in the beaches during the prohibited times like night hours and when the sea is rough."

The website www.dubaicoast.ae provides real-time coastal data and information for the beach-goers as part of an integrated coastal zone monitoring programme run by the Dubai Municipality.

[ultiva]

nice shots...

[Imre]

18/February/2009

Beach

[High Times]

I wondered who that was pointing a camera at me and the wife when we were on the boat today.

Bloody paparazzi.

[christos-greece]

It is nice to have a safety zone in U.A.E. beaches, because as the water is hot (most of the days of a year) , its trucking sharks...
Its known that sharks "love" hot waters

[AltinD]

Who said anything about sharks?

[KingMoody]

Originally Posted by Imre

18/February/2009

Beach

This is Dubawi Island which was bought by Zabeel Investments

[The-King]

Originally Posted by KingMoody

This is Dubawi Island which was bought by Zabeel Investments

no it's not. Dubawi Island is the other Logo Island at the Dubai Marina side.

[LoverOfDubai]

Imre, can you please mark on the following image where the photos from Posts 83 and 93 were taken? Thanks.

[Imre]