Wooden boats in Morocco's Bou Regreg river offer glimpse of the past

Boat owners urge government to take care of the waterway

Small blue wooden boats have been transporting people between the banks of Bou Regreg river in Morocco for generations. All photos: Reuters

These boats are a reminder of a time when bridges and modern transportation did not exist.

A special permit is needed to pilot the boats.

The boats are used mostly by tourists visiting the nearby centuries-old Oudaya castle.

People wait on board a wooden boat to cross Bou Regreg river in Rabat, Morocco, December 19, 2022. REUTERS / Juan Medina

People ride the boats to avoid traffic. It is also the easiest way to get home for those who live in the old town.

Boat owners are concerned that construction projects along the river bank could jeopardise their livelihoods.

The National