Qatar

Clearance is made at the main port – wooden boat clearance – a few marinas are available – most not very helpful and not welcoming – during an emergency – lost steering we were requested to pay QR 10,000/night for a berth at one hotel marina – we did not! Away from the centre of town people and marinas are more welcoming – shallow water is a problem so careful navigation is essential – do not rely on marked channels north of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Little service assistance is currently available through this should change within the next two years with increased facilities.

The charts mark an oil bund to the north of Doha bay – that is now a massive island – The Pearl – some 5k long extending seaward. The Ritz Carlton is to the North of the new island. Marina berths are currently being constructed for approximately 800 yachts and should open next year – part of them. I understand that this will be run by a Spanish Company and will within a couple of years be able to cater for all types of boat repairs. Marked channels for that development are reliable to a depth of 2.5m generally with 4.5m available for the main marina on the SW of the island – see www.thepearlqatar.com To the north of that further islands and marinas are being built but I have no details of what or when but work has started.

Dubai

Service facilities are available and grow exponentially each year- 3 weeks is about the limit of stay usually – service is generally poor unless you have a super yacht – most service yards will not entertain repairs for visiting yachts except for the mega-wealthy. Customs and immigration at the creek adjacent to Port Rashid – generally very helpful – coastguard run an excellent service.

Brian Grimwade