Burned dhows being towed out of Dubai Creek

The Dubai Municipality has begun working with the owners of two dhows that burned in Dubai Creek last month, seeking to remove the boats from the waterway.

Recovery crew pump water from the burnt hull of the dhow.
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DUBAI // Efforts have begun to tow one of two dhows that caught fire nearly a month ago from the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek to Al Jedaf area.

Owners of the Bhakti Sagar began pumping water out from the half-sunk vessel yesterday. They hope to bring it afloat and tow it to Al Jedaf tomorrow.

More than 15 workers, mostly from India, were seen yesterday removing water with the help of pumps. They were also using wooden blocks to patch holes on the boat's side.

The fire erupted on February 18 on a smaller dhow, Jhulelal, that contained about 170 barrels of petrol. The fire then spread to the Bhakti Sagar, which is also anchored on the Deira side of the creek. Later, strong winds blew both boats to the other side of the creek after their moorings burnt through.

Dubai Municipality said yesterday the dhow owners had received the go-ahead to remove the boats themselves after the owners cited their inability to pay the estimated Dh275,000 to have the boats towed by a private company.

"These people cannot afford to pay," said Salem Mesmar, the municipality's assistant director general for environment, health and safety.

"They want to handle it themselves and have their colleagues help them out. But, it will be done under our supervision," he said.

Mr Mesmar said the cost of towing the larger vessel could be more than Dh200,000, and another Dh75,000 for the smaller cargo ship.

"The vessel is floating but we are still pumping out the water," said Manik, owner of the large vessel, who asked to be identified only by his first name. "We can assess the damage after all the water is taken out. Unless I am sure of the boat's condition, I will not move it out to Al Jedaf as the creek is deep, and if something happens in the middle of the creek, all of us will face problems."

pkannan@thenational.ae