WATER SPORTS REGULATIONS OF PAKISTAN (FOR SEA/COASTAL AREAS) 2019 1 Preface With Pakistan’s coastline spanning about a thousand kilometers, every inch of it provides a sensational opportunity for tourism. All the beaches along Pakistan’s coast have huge prospects for development and conduct of a wide variety of water sports: parasailing, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, speed boating/water scooter riding, sea kayaking etc. Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and currently the hub of all water sports which are carried out in Pakistan. Currently majority of watersports activities carried out by private individuals are being run on ad-hoc basis without defined set of safety standards. This is also largely due to the fact that there has been no facilitation by the government to provide any framework which sets guidelines to be adhered by. The watersports Regulations at sea aims to provide an extensive framework for the administering water sports in coastal areas of Pakistan. Water sports are part and parcel of the Coastal Tourism sector, unfortunately this sector could not get focused attention, and as a result water sports activities have gone unregulated without any institutional oversight and laws. The proposed watersports regulations would be helpful to build up a sustainable coastal tourism sector and water sports industry which would make Pakistan a favorable destination globally for coastal tourism and renowned for its water sports industry. National Institute of Maritime Affairs was delegated by the Ministry of Defence to uptake this task of formulating the pioneering framework for regulating the water sports industry in Pakistan. After thorough research and consulting various stakeholder, NIMA presents this policy framework which is first of its kind hoping to promoted sustainable coastal tourism and water sports activities in Pakistan. 2 Table of Contents Abbreviations 3 Glossary 4 CHAPTER – ONE: PAKISTAN WATER SPORTS REGULATIONS5 Section 1: General Guidelines for Water Sports Operators 5 Section 2: First Aid and Safety Equipment 5 Section 3: Communication Equipment 6 Section 4: Watersports Sites & Safety Considerations 6 Section 5: Environmental Protection 7 CHAPTER – TWO: SNORKELING 8 Section 1: Snorkeling Equipment 8 Section 2: Snorkeling boats 8 Section 3: Essential staff and arrangements at sites prior to conducting Snorkeling 9 Section 4: Documentation requirement 9 CHAPTER – THREE: SCUBA DIVING 10 Section 1: Dive Professionals 10 Section 2: Standard Diving Equipment 11 Section 3: Requirement for Water Sports Centers Offering Diving Services 11 Section 4: Dive Boats 13 Section 5: General Guidelines 13 Section 6: Documentation requirement 13 CHAPTER – FOUR: OTHER WATER SPORTS 14 Section 1: Water Tubes and Towables 14 Section 2: Personal Water Craft (Jet Ski, Water Scooter etc.) 15 Section 3: Kayaking 16 Section 4: Para Sailing 17 CHAPTER – FIVE: FORMULATION OF PAKISTAN DIVING REGULATORY AUTHORITY 19 CHAPTER – SIX: LICENSE/NOC BY WATER SPORTS CENTERS 21 Section 1: Requirement 21 Section 2: Action required by operators before undertaking off shore activities 22 ANNEX – A: Registration procedure of harbour crafts From Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) 23 ANNEX – B: Potential Sites for water sports and recreational activities in Pakistan 24 ANNEX – C: Disclaimer Form (Indemnity and Medical disclaimer) 26 ANNEX – D: Passenger/Crew Manifest, Information proforma before Undertaking Trip 28 2 Abbreviations AAAS Assistance, Anytime, Anywhere at NCMPR National Center for Maritime Policy Sea Research AED Automatic External Defibrillator NIMA National Institute of Maritime Affairs BCD Buoyancy Compensator NIWS National Institute of Water Sports CMAS Confederacion Mundial De NOC No Objection Certificate Actividades Subacuaticas CNIC Computerized National Identity NTN National Tax Number Card CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation PADI Professional Association of Diving Instructors EFR Emergency First Response PFD Personal Floatation Device EPA Environmental Protection Agency PDRA Pakistan Diving Regulatory Authority FBR Federal Board of Revenue PN Pakistan Navy IANTD International Association of Nitrox PWC Personal Water Craft and Technical Divers JMICC Joint Maritime Information SDI Scuba Diving International Coordination Center MoMA Ministry of Maritime Affairs SECP Securities and Exchange Commission Pakistan MMD Mercantile Marine Department SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea MPA Marine Protected Areas SSI Scuba Schools International MSA Maritime Security Agency VHF Very High Frequency NAUI National Association of Underwater WSC Water Sports Company Instructors 3 Glossary Buoyancy Control Device Scuba diving gear similar to a vest which is responsible for a scuba diver’s buoyancy, whether at the surface or underwater during a dive. Dive Instructor The level of diving certification which qualifies an individual to train and certify other divers. Dive Master The level of diving certification which qualifies an individual to supervise and assist in diving activities. Dive Professional An individual who is either a Dive Instructor or Dive Master. Dive site A particular site where diving activity is carried out. Fun Dive Diving carried out for sake of enjoyment and recreation with no intention of being done so to become a certified diver. Water Sports Company An independent professional company which provides water sports services to customers/client 4 CHAPTER – ONE: Pakistan Water Sports Regulations Section 1: General Guidelines for Water Sports Operators Those individuals/entrepreneurs who wish to start a water sports business must have registered business on NTN number obtained from FBR, or be a private Limited Company registered with SECP. Following general guidelines are issued for water sports operators: 1) Individuals/entrepreneurs (water sports operators) desirous to carry out water sports must have established their physical offices. 2) Water sports operators must obtain license/NOC from regulator before undertaking any watersports activities. 3) Water sports operators must have qualified staff to conduct respective water sports activities. 4) Water sports operators must maintain record of their customers/clients for whom they organize such activities and provide it to relevant authorities whenever asked. 5) Boats used for transportation of customers and water sports activities must be registered with MMD in respective category (e.g. leisure boat, passenger boat, recreational boat etc.). (See at Annex A). 6) Boats should have yearly valid inspection certificate issued by MMD. 7) Boat crew must have relevant license from MMD. Number of boat crew may vary with size of boat. 8) Boats must have the required number of life jackets for its passengers and crew (SOLAS standards or near to it would suffice). 9) Water sports operators ensure that the number of passengers in the boat should not exceed as authorized in the license issued by the MMD. 10) Weather assessment should be conducted by the water sports operators before initiating their activities. Section 2: First Aid and Safety Equipment 1) Boats used for water sports activities must be equipped with necessary safety and lifesaving equipment, which should at least include: a. Life buoys (minimum 2) b. Fire Extinguisher c. Signaling device (e.g. whistle, torch, lantern, glow stick etc.) d. First Aid kit. A first aid kit on boats should contain the following i) Stomach remedies to prevent or treat motion sickness, indigestion, diarrhea, or heartburn ii) Antihistamine, for allergic reactions 5 iii) Insect repellant iv) Anti-itch lotion or cream for treating insect bites, sunburn, and other minor skin irritations v) Pain/fever reducers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen vi) Adhesive bandages vii) Butterfly bandages and narrow adhesive strips, for gaping cuts viii) Sterile gauze pads (to control bleeding) ix) Hypoallergenic adhesive tape to hold a dressing or splint in place x) Cotton rolls xi) Sterile roller bandages xii) Eye drops xiii) Thermometer xiv) Syrup of Ipecac – if instructed by medical personnel to induce vomiting xv) Antiseptic ointment for cleansing wounds xvi) Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection of minor wounds xvii) Bottled water to rinse wounds xviii) Clean towels (small and large), to control bleeding or as a wrap for ice xix) Ice packs Section 3: Communication Equipment 1) Boats used for watersports activities should be equipped with necessary communication equipment for exchange of information in case of any emergency with shore authorities for assistance. The boats should be equipped with: a. Marine VHF radios with fixed international channels. VHF radio inspection should be carried out by MMD. While using VHF radios and other communication means, the information be kept short and to the point. b. Cell phone. c. AAAS application for communication with JMICC. Section 4: Watersports Sites & Safety Considerations 1) Water sports activities should only be carried out in the specified and designated areas. (See Annex B). 2) Water sports should not be conducted in sea lanes of commercial maritime traffic/Port Channel unless special permission is sought from the relevant authorities. 3) Water sports operators should ensure that no illegal item is carried in the boat while proceeding for watersports activities. 4) Water sports operators should operate from established public/private jetties all along the coast for embarkation/dis-embarkation. 6 Section 5: Environmental Protection 1) Water sports operators must ensure that no pollution