AJMAN // Being a fisherman at sea is a tough, dangerous and unpredictable job, especially for someone who has never set foot on a boat before.
That is what some fishermen say since an Emirati fishing boat captain who could not swim went missing at sea on January 31.
Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, 32, fell into the sea after a large ship collided with his boat, causing it to break in half. His body has not been found.
Captains of fishing boats in Ajman said their crew members must know how to stay safe on board and how to react should they fall into the sea.
They must also be able to swim and ensure that their vessels have the necessary safety equipment such as life jackets.
The skippers warned that people who had mostly worked on land and were unaccustomed to working on boats should not go to sea.
Rasheed Al Muhairi, an Emirati fisherman of 35 years, said it was rare to find fishermen who could not swim.
He said that before the coastguard issued boat licences, they check that the vessels carry safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, life jackets, lights and first-aid kits.
“We also teach our Asian sailors to use them,” he said, adding that he usually checked weather conditions before heading out to sea.
New technologies such as weather forecast apps for smartphones have helped to make fishermen’s work safer, according to Emirati Humaid Al Shamsi, 60, who started working on fishing boats when he was 10 years old.
Even so, fierce storms at sea could easily result in a crew member being washed overboard, said Ali Majid Al Suwaidi, 63. “When we face these situations, we use our long experience in determining the boat’s speed and direction until we reach an island or port,” he said.
“Any incident occurring at sea is due to fog or crossing the large shipping lanes while sailors are sleeping. But the most dangerous is the weather.”
The ability to swim and familiarity with safety equipment are essential to fishermen in the event of an emergency at sea, according to Maj Ali Al Naqbi, director of maritime rescue at Dubai Police.
He said it was important for fishermen to have a way to contact the coastguard should the need arise. “It’s also important to always let your family and friends know where you are going and in what direction,” said Maj Al Naqbi.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
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- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
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7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
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8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
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8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
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9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
MO
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Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Started: 2021
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Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
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Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
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Our legal columnist
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UAE fixtures
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- Grade 7 = grade A
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- Grade 4 = grade C
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The specs
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
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They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
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Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
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Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: Sunday, November 25
