archie159

If so, does anyone know if there is any form of boat-recovery service here, someone who will come and tow you back to the marina if your boat engine stops working? I've heard different stories about whether the coast guard will do this or not, and I've yet to come across any company which will provide this service.

It's not happened to me yet (Insha’Allah...) but I've had this discussion a few times with other boat-owning friends, and none of us really know what the solution is. Anyone know?

thanks.

archie159

Thanks, Norm.

Millhouse

probably, the same as you do in the desert. You phone a friend, give your GPS coordinate, and wait...

busybee2

nope not that i have heard... the coastguard may tow you back but it will just depend on .....??? at the time

OriginalSunshine

in Muscat we all just used to call our trailer guy (dry dock much much easier than wet dock) who would get one of his fishing mates to come get if stuck, and give a tow... or if we were too heavy then they would call the coast guard for us

archie159

Thanks - which implies that the Coast Guard might actually help...

busybee2

they may they may not, they are not RAC you know... now you have a transponder which they only introduced a couple or so years ago etc

kaz911

There are no boat recovery services - like there are no good boat mechanics ..

but if you are in trouble - the Coast Guard will usually tow you if you are nice and polite and have not been drinking (too much). Else you have to rely on your "local" harbour to come out and get you or someone else passing by.

If someone else tows you - remember to tip them well for fuel and time and agree it with them before a tow-line is attached. (We agree I'll pay your fuel for towing me back) - international marine salvage rules are a bit open to abuse .....

The Red button on your Transponder is supposed to raise the "alarm" with the coast guard - but it works best if you can call them on 996 and THEN press the red button if they ask you to. Response might take a while (30 min - 3 hours dependent on where you are) as 996 main office have to "transport" your message onto the "local" Coast Guard Operations (see below)

If you are in Abu Dhabi you can call the Local Coast Guard operations on 02 655 1666 - that usually cut down service time to half the above stated time. Usually they speak better English than 996....