Heavy wind sinks boats in Bahrain

Manama : Strong winds that hit the island during the past few days have sunk several boats near the north western coasts of Muharraq.

A video taken by a  Bahraini sailor showed a couple of boats lying wrecked along the coastline, as high waves and strong winds crushed them.

The Meteorological Directorate in the Transportation and Telecommunication Ministry yesterday warned of very strong north-westerly winds, reaching up to 35 knots (around 65 kilometres per hour).

The man filming the video also expresses his discontent in the authorities’ decision to remove fishermen’s cabins from the cost last year without providing an adequate harbour for the sailors and fishermen who used to tie their boats to the cabins.

Earlier Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry removed the cabins from all of Muharraq’s coastlines, claiming that it is unauthorised and that they became a hub for illegal activities.

Harbours Needed

Commenting on the matter, Muharraq Fishermen Society President Waheed Al Dossary told DT News that fully equipped harbours are the need of the hour on the second largest island in the Kingdom.

“I supported the removal of the cabins last year, provided an adequate alternative was provided for the fishermen. But all we got was empty promises. I was against the cabins as they were illegal. The authorities should construct modern facilities and rent it to the fishermen in for acceptable prices. This is the procedure 
followed in modern and advanced countries,” Al Dossary said.

The president also informed that Muharraq Harbour is the only harbour for the entire island as the other three ports in Hidd, Galali and Samaheej are not yet completed.

 “We need more regulation and all branches of the authorities should cooperate to support the fishermen of Bahrain, who are being treated unfairly. We demand the members of the Parliament, Municipal and Shura Councils to help these people and enhance their livelihoods. There is no authority to support fishermen at all. The only allowance received from the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) was stopped too.”