Latest news with #KuwaitDiveTeam
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait Dive Team tows sunken boat from Salmiya waters
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team, operating under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), has salvaged a 30-ton vessel off Al-Salmiya's coast, the team's chief Walid Al-Fadhel said on Monday. Al-Fadhel told KUNA that the 57-foot-long boat that had drifted due to strong winds and was a hazard to navigation and leaking oil into the waters close to the Marine yachts harbor. The personnel involved in the operation stabilized the vessel and collected some of its scattered debris at the spot where yachts and boats pass regularly, Al-Fadhel said, indicating the Coast Guards had put all their available resources at the disposal of lifting the boat and its remains in coordination with other authorities. The diver succeeded in floating and towing the boat despite some difficulties such as the scorching heat, strong winds and rocky hurdles. Al-Fadhel urged sea-goers to take precautions and spare themselves such accidents, noting that waste left behind at the sea is a pollutant to the environment. (end)The Kuwaiti Diving Team has carried out such missions since 1986. — KUNA
Arab Times
4 days ago
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Dive Team recovers sunken boat despite harsh conditions
KUWAIT CITY, July 28: The Kuwait Dive Team, operating under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), successfully recovered a 57-foot yacht weighing approximately 30 tons after it sank off the coast of Salmiya due to strong winds, posing a risk to maritime safety and the environment. Team leader Walid Al-Fadhel told KUNA that the yacht had drifted dangerously near the entrance to the Marina Mall Port, a route frequently used by boats and yachts. The vessel, which had begun leaking fuel and oil, was considered an urgent hazard to marine navigation and a potential source of pollution. Upon receiving reports of the incident, the dive team quickly coordinated with relevant authorities to develop and execute a comprehensive recovery plan. The General Directorate of Coast Guard played a key role in facilitating the operation by providing vital support and equipment in collaboration with other agencies. Despite facing high temperatures, strong winds, and difficult underwater terrain, the divers managed to stabilize, float, and tow the vessel. The rocky seabed and hazardous location added complexity to the effort, particularly in deploying recovery tools safely. In addition to salvaging the yacht, the team collected scattered debris in the area, which could have further threatened passing vessels. Al-Fadhel stressed the importance of maritime safety and urged boat owners to ensure proper maintenance and secure mooring to prevent similar incidents. He also highlighted the environmental consequences of neglect, including marine pollution caused by abandoned or damaged vessels. Al-Fadhel extended his gratitude to all the participating entities, including the Coast Guard, the Marine Rescue Unit of the General Fire Force, Kuwait Municipality, Marina Mall management, and dedicated volunteers who supported the mission. Since its founding in 1986, the Kuwait Dive Team has carried out numerous voluntary operations aimed at preserving the marine environment and ensuring the safety of Kuwaiti waters.
Kuwait Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Dive Team calls for shark protection
By Passant Hisham KUWAIT: As sightings of sharks increase in Kuwait's waters during the summer months, the Kuwait Dive Team is calling for stronger awareness and protection efforts, warning that these misunderstood marine creatures face far greater danger from humans than the other way around. 'Sharks have earned a bad reputation since the 1970s because of how the media portrayed them,' Kuwait Dive Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel told Kuwait Times. 'Globally, there are over 400 shark species, but only one is truly dangerous to humans — the Great White Shark,' he added. 'In fact, most species found in Kuwaiti waters are harmless. In Kuwait's entire 300-year history, only two shark-related injuries have been recorded' Al-Fadhel explained that the rise in shark presence during summer is a natural phenomenon. Sharks are attracted to warm waters and are typically found in muddy areas up north, and to a lesser extent near coral reefs in the south, where they are generally small and non-aggressive. While the presence of sharks might alarm some beachgoers, Al-Fadhel stressed that humans pose the real threat. 'Studies show that 20 to 30 percent of the global shark population has been wiped out due to harmful human practices,' he told KUNA. Among the most damaging is shark finning — the practice of removing fins and discarding the body at sea. The fins are exported for use in what is considered the world's most expensive soup. Al-Fadhel noted that while some fishermen in Kuwait have engaged in this trade, commercial shark fishing is now banned in the country, as the sharks play important role in maintaining marine ecological balance. Al-Fadhel also urged the public not to feed sharks or other marine wildlife, as doing so alters their natural behavior and undermines their ecological role. 'Sharks help maintain balance in the marine environment by feeding on sick or injured fish,' he said. 'Feeding them changes their behavior, draws them closer to humans, and could increase the risk of unintended harm — both to the animal and the person.' To reduce the likelihood of encounters and promote coexistence, the Kuwait Dive Team recommended avoiding diving in muddy seabeds, where sharks are more likely to be found. They also advised spearfishers against tying their catch to their bodies, as the scent of blood can attract sharks. Al-Fadhel emphasized that the purpose of awareness campaigns is not to instill fear, but to foster respect for marine life and promote safer practices. The team, which operates under the Environmental Voluntary Foundation, has carried out multiple rescue operations across Kuwait's coast — including around Kubbar Island, where sharks have been found entangled in abandoned fishing nets. Al-Fadhel also noted that summer months bring a surge in jellyfish populations, particularly during June and July, sometimes leading to the temporary shutdown of desalination plants due to the overwhelming numbers. To manage their impact, nets and filters are installed at water intake sites. He described jellyfish as ancient marine organisms that migrate annually to Kuwaiti waters depending on currents and wind patterns. While the species found locally are not deadly, they can cause mild stings. Al-Fadhel recommended wearing full-body diving suits for protection and avoiding swimming in areas where jellyfish are concentrated. Like sharks, he added, jellyfish also play a vital ecological role as a food source for other marine species.
Kuwait Times
15-06-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Guardians of Kuwait's seas: Kuwait Dive Team inspires nationwide culture of marine conservation
Beneath the surface of Kuwait's shoreline, boats, ships, and yachts once lay broken and buried — remnants of a war that scarred both land and sea. In 1991, just after the Iraqi invasion, a group of volunteers dove into the water to begin reviving those sunken vessels. That first mission marked the beginning of the Kuwait Dive Team — a grassroots movement that has spent more than 30 years salvaging over 900 marine objects, removing tons of waste and protecting fragile coral reefs. Today, the team comprises 30 to 50 active members, most in their mid-thirties, united by more than a love for the sea. 'What keeps us going, whether in the cold, the heat, or even in harsh, dusty conditions, is a deep sense of national and environmental duty,' said Waleed Al-Shatti, Vice President of the team. 'This environment isn't ours alone; it belongs to all of humanity. What we do is not just for Kuwait, but for the world.' To carry out their wide-ranging missions, team members undergo rigorous certification through accredited diving programs. Many are trained in specialized techniques such as night diving, current diving and underwater search and recovery. This expertise allows them to respond quickly and effectively — whether rescuing a stranded vessel, conducting semi-weekly sea patrols or clearing marine hazards. While much of their work is closely coordinated with state institutions, the public also plays a key role. Fishermen, divers and boaters frequently report oil spills, abandoned fishing nets, or signs of illegal activity — tip-offs that often prompt rapid interventions. Yet the team's impact goes far beyond emergency response. Education and community engagement are central to their mission. With a marine conservation curriculum now adopted by Kuwait's ministry of education, students are introduced to the importance of environmental stewardship from an early age. National beach cleanup campaigns, run in partnership with the ministries of social affairs and education, have brought together thousands of volunteers - Kuwaitis and expatriates alike, including Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and others - fostering a shared sense of environmental responsibility. In addition to awareness efforts, the team leads several proactive environmental projects, focusing primarily on the protection of Kuwait's scarce coral reefs. Al-Shatti emphasized their ecological importance in filtering seawater, producing oxygen, sheltering marine species and acting as natural wave barriers. To monitor reef health, the team partners with Queensland University in Australia. The data they collect - on coral color, water temperature, and reef conditions - is shared with international environmental research databases. Visual storytelling is another powerful tool in their strategy. Through underwater photography, short films and printed educational materials distributed in schools, the team highlights the beauty of Kuwait's marine ecosystem, aiming to inspire a culture of care. On the international stage, the team proudly represents Kuwait at marine conservation exhibitions, sharing expertise and collaborating with environmental organizations around the world. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed: the Kuwait Dive Team has received repeated global recognition, including winning the Global Energy and Earth Prize two years in a row - outperforming more than 400 international competitors. Kuwait Dive Team lifts three tons of waste and debris from coral reefs off the southern island of Qaruh. Kuwait Dive Team successfully removes an abandoned fishing net. Kuwait Dive Team monitoring coral reefs. Kuwait Dive Team lifts nets from Um Deera reef, north of Qaruh Island. Kuwait Dive Team removes abandoned fishing nets in Bnaider. Kuwait Dive Team replaces and installs cables on the island of Kubbar as part of a maintenance project. Kuwait Dive Team rescues a shark entangled in a net.
Kuwait Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait Dive Team's achievements celebrated by UN
BEIRUT: The Kuwait Dive Team carried out 130 environmental missions during 2024–2025, focusing on coral reef protection, the removal of waste and sunken ships, and the securing of marine navigation, according to their newly released annual report. The announcement was made during a meeting between the team and the United Nations Environment Program's (UNEP) West Asia Office in Beirut, where UNEP officials praised Kuwait's leadership in marine environmental protection. Sami Dimassi, Director of UNEP's West Asia Office, commended the Kuwait Dive Team's efforts, describing them as a reflection of Kuwait's strong commitment to international environmental agreements and sustainable development. Dimassi noted the team's contributions to the global 'Clean Seas' campaign, highlighting their hands-on role in combating marine plastic pollution—a major global ecological challenge. He emphasized that the Dive Team's work showcases Kuwait's proactive approach to safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations. The team's annual report detailed significant accomplishments, including the removal of 12 sunken vessels and boats, weighing a total of 60 tons, and the collection of 120 tons of abandoned fishing nets and other harmful debris from Kuwait's coastal waters. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team removes a 200-kilogram fishing net from coral reefs north of Qaruh Island in this file photo. In addition, the team successfully maintained and repaired 107 marine moorings to protect coral reefs and ensure safe anchoring for boats and yachts. Beyond direct environmental action, the Dive Team also maintains regular monitoring of Kuwait's southern islands, coasts, and marine reserves, providing environmental reports to government agencies, international organizations, and research institutions such as Australia's CoralWatch program. In a statement, Kuwait Dive Team leader Waleed Al-Fadhel reaffirmed the team's long-standing commitment to marine conservation. He recalled the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding signed with UNEP to support the 'Clean Seas' initiative and described the team's work as a 'translation of Kuwait's environmental pledges into practical action.' Al-Fadhel highlighted the team's ongoing awareness campaigns, including the Mobile Beach Cleanup Campaign, which has been organized weekly for ten consecutive years. These campaigns include coastal cleanups, environmental workshops, educational talks, and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of marine protection issues. The Kuwaiti Dive Team's achievements were recently recognized with the Energy Globe Foundation Award, an international acknowledgment of their leadership in environmental work. Dimassi concluded by expressing appreciation for the team's contributions, noting that their work strengthens regional and global efforts to preserve healthy marine environments and aligns with global sustainability goals. — KUNA
