Dangerous but Fun ride
Recently, all the dhow cruises were restricted from sailing, then they were allowed to cruise, reason for allowing them is still un known, same story was posted by Farrukh on this blog.
May be authorities just wanted to ensure that safety measures are taken care of OR may be some big shots were not able to tolerate hefty daily income loss.
But what about the water taxis (abrahs), does anyone stopped them from ferrying people from Deira to Bur Dubai and back?, no I don’t think so. These abrah masters are not trained sailor, neither they have any safety equipments / measures on board in case of any emergency. Each abrah carry atleast twenty passengers at a time and cross 200 meter wide creek atleast 50 to 76 time a day and there are atleast 15 boats on Dubai creek alone, with only one life guard boat, which has to take care of Jet Ski area near Garhoud.
BUT, still it’s a cheapest way of crossing Dubai Creek and commuting from Deira to Bur Dubai. Sometime, when I don’t have any urgent work at office and want to stretch my legs I go for a round in abrah. It costs me AED 1 but gives me a good 15 minutes refreshing ride, really its good fun, crossing creek with atleast twenty people standing in 20 feet boat. Try it if you dare !!!!!!
It looks like a real fun ride atleast if you not in them!!
Although the Abrahs are the cheapest mode to cross the creek, just the amount of Abrah traffic outght to inspire the authorities to make sure they are sea worthy and safe for commuters.
I still even had the guts to try one!! guess I’ll wait till I learn to swim!
Furrukh,
The photo shows people sitting in the abrah, last time I travelled was more than a month ago, (i think in February), it was raing heavily and all the passengers were stnding in the boat.
I think this ride should be included in “Fear Factor”.
Has any accident happened to the ABRA in the last 40 years in Dubai?
Shall we wait for one to happen?
All civilized people and socities always take extra precautionay measures to avoid any mishap.