ABU DHABI // Long a crucial launching point for sailors, the Al Bateen Marina is cherished for its rich seafaring history.
Just off the beach, local fishermen and pearlers once jockeyed for patches of land next to which to moor their dhows.
Now, with the unveiling yesterday of a modern, 323-berth marina, there will be room for everyone. The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has more than doubled the number of berths for fishing vessels as part of a renovation project in the capital's oldest occupied area.
It was here that Ali al Rumaithi's father set off on dhow races, wading knee-deep into the water to push his boat into the sea.
Visiting the newly redeveloped west fishing bay for the first time, Mr al Rumaithi, 35, admired the upgrades: white concrete gangways stretching over the water, fire-safety equipment, lighting, mooring berths equipped with running water and electrical outlets.
"Before, with my father, we would go from land and stand in the water to here," he said, gesturing to his knees. "Now there's no need. I can be dry. I can use the hose and wash my boat. It's very, very nice.
"My father did racing when I was a child, and now my father only stays at home and I use the boat."
To be completed by mid-2012, the entire area will be a signature waterfront destination for tourists, with a yacht club, marina-management offices, cafes, a fishermen's community centre, a boardwalk, retail outlets and a 400-room luxury hotel.
The project will also include an east bay for ships longer than 18 metres.
"There was nothing here before, just dirt. But there's a long way to go," said Ali al Hammadi, the director of special projects and government relations for the TDIC, touring the site this week.
"There's going to be a fishermen's community centre, like a majlis, and we'll also have a local restaurant so the tourists can come, taste our food, talk to some of these nice old guys and listen to their stories of fishing."
The TDIC would not reveal the costs of the project as a matter of policy.
Walking the length of the 280-metre main pontoon, Mr al Hammadi noted that engineers built a sturdy floating dock from concrete rather than wood.
"So it feels like you're walking on solid ground. If you're carrying heavy stuff, sometimes just a small movement of waves can shake you. This is what the new hotels with marinas are doing."
Space for only about 160 boats was available before the marina's first phase was completed, he said. Vehicles jammed the one road towards the wharf. Fire-fighting equipment was inadequate and thefts were not uncommon events.
The new marina will have 24-hour security and lights lining the dock, a dry-stack building or "boat library" that can store 140 boats and an underground car park for more than 800 vehicles.
To improve water circulation and quality in the marina, a 192-metre underground culvert has been constructed to link the east and west bays.
"The main idea here is to provide something better for the fishermen," Mr al Hammadi said. "I see a local guy enjoying what he lives to do, what his family used to do. That's what it's about. When I see them smile, it's better than any project. This is one that feels like it really pays back."
Eventually, the TDIC expects Al Bateen to become a major tourist draw, a place for visitors and residents to relax and soak up the "rich atmosphere of genuine Emirati seafaring culture".
Mr al Hammadi said that "roughly 70 or 80" boat tenants have been approved by an independent Al Bateen Fishermen's Committee to berth at the new west bay, with priority given to long-time Emirati fishermen.
"These are seniors, and they know that so many people would love to be on that marina," Mr al Hammadi said. "Quite a good number of people are on the waiting list. Somewhere around 300 people."
Mr al Rumaithi, the dhow racer, said his only regret was that the original wharf was free to use. If he chooses to berth one of his three dhows at Al Bateen, he said rent could be around Dh10,000 (US$2,722) a year. Still, those rates are lower than those at other marinas in the capital.
In a release yesterday, Mubarak al Muhairi, the managing director of the TDIC, characterised the Al Bateen Wharf revamp as "a natural gateway" to experiencing Abu Dhabi's heritage.
"Al Bateen Fishermen's Marina has been developed to specifically serve the district's resident fishermen who have historically occupied this area, as well as accommodate the needs of its community," he said.
The five-star Al Bateen Wharf Hotel complex, which is being developed as a joint venture partnership between the TDIC and Belbadi Enterprises, is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2013.
@Email:mkwong@thenational.ae
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More coverage from the Future Forum
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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