November 20 deadline for owners to remove boats

National boat owners have been given until November 20 to remove their old vessels from the creek.

A senior municipal official said the move came after the civic body noticed the increasing number of boats being left for years on the corniche. The official said the municipality has also received complaints from people that rats have infested these boats. The municipality has sent letters warning owners.

A month's grace period was given around October 20 because some owners live in other emirates. Heavy penalties will be imposed if they fail to remove the boats, officials warned.

The municipality will remove the boats if the owners don't, once the grace period is over, they said. The owners will be blacklisted and none of their transactions will be completed in the municipality till they pay the fines.

This list of owners will be sent to other municipalities as well. No civic authority will transact with them until they clear fines in Ras Al Khaimah. Even owners working as fishermen will not be able to renew their licences unless they pay their penalties.

The boats are affecting public health and inspectors earlier submitted a report on their dismal condition.