Boat owners drop anchor on Abu Dhabi streets because berthing fees are ‘very expensive’

Many leisure and fishing boats sit openly in public parking lots and roads, hindering traffic.

Streets in the Al Bateen area of Abu Dhabi, where every second house has a boat, have become a mooring, washing and fixing point for the vessels, residents say. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

ABU DHABI // Vessels, including leisure and fishing boats, are taking over car parking spaces in the capital because berthing charges are too high, owners say.

Streets in Al Bateen – where boats are very popular with residents – have become a mooring, washing and repair point for vessels.

According to the municipality, boats must be berthed at authorised stations and not on the streets.

The owners said authorised spaces are costly and they avoid registering.

One said Abu Dhabi should follow Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, where there are no charges for boats.

Emirati resident Saeed Al Muhairy believed there was no problem parking boats in front of his house. He could park whatever he pleased.

“The problem would come when we park in front of each other’s house or on the road,” Mr Al Muhairy said.

“The problem is that berths are very expensive. They should be free for locals as in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.”

“I have to shell out Dh10,000 a year for one boat if I berth at the sea. It’s too much,” he said.

Boats parked on footpaths, on road and car parks are common sights in the capital.

Another Al Bateen resident was not supportive.

He said: “Many people have parked their vessels on the streets, while traditional wooden racing ships and leisure craft are being fixed on the road. This should be stopped as it obstructs the movement of traffic.”

He said: “Go and roam in neighbourhood and you’ll find many such boats. They (owners) should take their boats to Mussaffah to fix them, not here on the street and parking lot.”

Boat owner Salem said: “So far, nobody asked me to remove it. If the municipality asks, we will see.”

When Salem was told about anchoring at authorised marinas in the capital, he said: “I have three boats. If I park there I have to shell out about Dh40,000 a year. Who will pay that huge amount of money?”

There should be some discount for locals, Mr Salem said.

Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) said that berthing at the Marina Club is safer and its rates are affordable.

Salah Sulaiman, supervisor at ADIMSC, said: “Anchoring at Marina Club costs Dh650 per feet annually, while Al Bateen and Mina Zayed harbours are costlier.

“We provide 100 per cent security for the vessels and offer facilities … that include cleaning, water, electricity, fire extinguishers, security patrols for 24 hours,” Mr Sulaiman said.

“In Mina Zayed, it costs Dh800 per feet a year. In Al Bateen it’s priced at Dh600 per feet a year ,but that’s without electricity and any facilities,” Mr Sulaiman said.

Abu Dhabi Municipality said the matter of boats was addressed by Law No 2 of 2012, which governs appearance, health and public tranquility in the emirate. The law applies to all vehicles, trailers and boats, which may be impounded.