As part of their commitment to environmental sustainability, students from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai showcased an innovative project: a smart boat designed to absorb oil spills from ships and yachts in marine waters, aimed at cleaning the water and protecting marine life from pollution.
This vessel employs an innovative technology, featuring a drum made of leather that rotates beneath the boat, effectively capturing oil lingering on the water’s surface. This approach helps mitigate the adverse effects of oil leaks and maintains ecological balance in the seas.
The students—Ammar Jafar, Hamid Abdullah, and Mariam Al Hamadi, who are studying mechanical engineering at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai—developed this project in collaboration with the free economic zones associated with their colleges, as part of a startup development program. They have secured a patent for their idea and are currently working with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to further develop and implement the boat on a larger scale in the future.
Ammar Jafar stated, “The concept of our project emerged from our desire to contribute to the protection of marine environments against one of the most dangerous types of pollution caused by oil spills. We aimed to design a practical and intelligent solution that merges technology with sustainability.”
He emphasized that the team hopes for the boat to be officially adopted and utilized in the nation’s ports and coastlines, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s efforts in marine environmental protection and achieving sustainable development goals.
Sustainable Solutions
This initiative aligns with the Higher Colleges of Technology’s dedication to fostering student innovations and encouraging them to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both society and the environment, in line with the nation’s vision for a knowledge-driven economy and environmental sustainability.