Abra (boat)
Abra (Arabic عبرة, DMG ʿ abra ) is a traditional, discrete wooden boat, conveyed by the people in Dubai, United Arab Emirates across the Dubai Creek.
Construction and equipment
A medium-sized, single-engine boat has a capacity of 20 passengers and is controlled by a single leader from the ship located in the center cockpit. The space for the passengers is a small, sheltered by a canopy platform around the cockpit. Sitting here on each side 10 passengers with a view of the water. The speed can vary from boat to boat, however, the steering system is basically the same. Here, the wooden rudder is often connected via cable and pulley with a mechanism in the cockpit.
General Information
The primary use of the Abra was the transportation from one side of the Dubai Creek to the other before various bridges allowed the crossing of Al Shindagha tunnel or tunneling under the waterway for automobiles. Nowadays, it is mostly used by tourists, from simple people and nostalgic. Currently, there is an essential and frequently used part of the transport system of Dubai, which annually carries 15 to 20 million passengers and in its importance steadily gaining reputation. For the trip between the districts of Deira and Bur Dubai on the opposite sides of the sea arm is needed for five to seven minutes. During the crossing you have to but make minor collisions, beware, because the abras specifically near the crowded wharfs to meet tight spaces. For this reason, all passengers are encouraged to try the journey to sit while.
The Abra service is regulated by Dubai Transport Authority Roads and Transport Authority (RTA ). The RTA is responsible for issuing licenses for the operation of abras and sets charges and capacity. The agencies are seeking to currently switching to more environmentally friendly fuels or even solar-powered drives, which is accompanied, however, with an increase of the current fares.
The old loading pier in the past were replaced by official charge stations which are equipped with more spacious and designed for mass control access. Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of these facilities, the Dubai Municipality ( Dubai Municipality ). At the moment, about 150 abras in service. The boats are five clock in the morning until midnight in use, one of the two routes is ensured throughout the day. For a direct crossing a price of AED 1 per head is requested or a rental price of 100 dirhams per hour ( as of 2012). With rowing equipped abras are also available for 1 Dirham per capita or 30 dirhams per hour.
The Abra is now a part of the traditional cityscape of Dubai and is now an important piece of the city's culture. A ride on the Abra can be a must for any visitor to Dubai are considered. In January finds, as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival, an abra race at the Dubai Creek instead, which is endowed with prize money of 6,000 dirhams.