Butti Ahmed Al Muhairi is a man who knows the importance of safety and working in a high-pressure industry. A well-head platform operator in the Umm Al Dhalakh Field for Abu Dhabi’s Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), Butti has been in the oil & gas field since 2001.

Butti studied for four years to get his Diploma of Petroleum Operation from the ADCO (Abu Dhabi Company for Offshore Oil Operations) Technical Institute and in 2005 he moved across to ZADCO as an Oil Plant Operator on Zirku Island, which lies 140kms north-west off Abu Dhabi city’s coast.

The 26-year-old from Al Rahba City, Abu Dhabi, is adamant that his experience working in a safety-conscience environment, has given him the upper hand in pursuing his sailing ambitions.

A lover of the sea, and having come from a family of sailors going back more than 70 years, Butti is skilled in both traditional Arabian craft, such as the iconic dhow, as well as more modern Laser boats. Butti is also adept at Blokarting (Land Sailing), a sport which uses a 3-wheeled kart with sail, similar to those found on small dinghies, to harness the wind and power along land.