Brigadier Ali Ahmed Al Bedeed
By Azmat Haroon
Doha: Three Asians were rescued in the sea by Coast Guard personnel off the Semaisma beach yesterday. They are in good condition.
The Director of the Coast Guard Department told The Peninsula yesterday that they received a call about the trio having strayed from the shore near the beach and immediately a rescue team saved them.
Two of them, who seemed to have been stuck in the sea, were rescued immediately, and the third one was also found in the nick of time.
“We got a rescue call in the day about three Asians that had drifted away from the shore while swimming.
“We immediately dispatched patrolling teams who began a search,” Brigadier Ali Ahmed Al Bedeed, Director of the Coasts and Borders Security Department, said.
“They are in good condition. We do not want to issue any warning to swimmers but we urge people not to swim in the open sea,” he said.
At least two to three people drown in Qatar every month due to accidents related to swimming, official figures suggest.
Some professional sea divers also die while working in oil and gas rigs. They go deep into the sea to repair and maintain pipes and machinery.
“Many companies have divers who go 50 metres deep and more for underwater operations to change and clean pipes.
“We are told that they are professionals. Next day (after an accident), we find that they only have general diving certificates and not the professional ones required for those involved in sub-sea oil maintenance and search operations,” Brigadier Al Bedeed said.
As per a new law on the anvil, rules and regulations for training professional divers and their licensing will come under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard Department.
Brigadier Al Bedeed said that in some cases, people also dive alone at night, which is dangerous and risky, as well as against international laws.
He urged people to call 999 in case of an accident so that rescue teams can be dispatched promptly.
The Peninsula
