For the first time since its inception, the ship will be travelling out of the UAE coastal waters to Doha Port in Qatar.

Meanwhile Sultan Saqr Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the authority, said there are plans to cover ports in all Gulf states, as well as selective ports in the region.

The three-day tour is aimed at offering a platform for the youth of GCC countries to get together, interact and exchange ideas and views.

The participants, between the ages 16 to 25, will take part in a number of activities, including a photo exhibition on the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, photo gallery on road safety awareness, introduction to and practical experience in diving and conservation of marine flora and fauna by the Emirates Diving Association, lectures on drug abuse, hazards of smoking and rescue operations by representatives of Dubai Police, and briefing on volunteering and related issues by the UAE Red Crescent Society.

Also participating in the tour are representatives from Dubai Police, Emirates Diving Association, UAE Scouts Association, and associations from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman among others. The event is well supported by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information and Culture, UAE Armed Forces Headquarters, Dubai Police General Headquarters, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Authority, Abu Dhabi Marine Ports Authority, ADCO,  Al Jasmeen Exhibitions Establishment, Abu Dhabi Scientific Club, and the Youth and Arts Theatre.

The participants will be hosted at their destination by the General Youth Authority in Qatar.

The participants of the Emirates Youth Ship will experience a part of the Emirati culture when they are introduced to the subject of pearl diving, the main economic activity of the locals before oil was found in the country.

Mohammed Bitar, Project Co-ordinator at the EDA's Diving Department, told Khaleej Times that the tour will involve a visit to some pearl diving sites, including Aryilah near Abu Dhabi, and participants will attend three lectures in diving.

'I am also planning to do an introductory practical training in diving for the participants. 'Try Discovering Scuba' is the first step in diving and is done in a swimming pool with a maximum depth of two metres,' Bitar said, adding that the ship's swimming pool was perfect for the purpose.