Dubai Marina Motor Yacht Clubhouse, marina on schedule for late-2007 opening

It will open in late 2007 along with the modern clubhouse built for the Dubai Marina Motor Yacht Club. A modern boat repair facility is also scheduled to open later this year.

The Yacht Club marina can berth 135 vessels and is the largest among the five marinas in the landmark waterfront project. There are 180 berths already up and running at the East Marina Stage I and II. Through the five marinas, Dubai Marina will eventually offer over 500 berths.

"As the largest of its kind waterfront development in the region, Dubai Marina has brought in to the UAE a new lifestyle experience, which centres on enjoying a full spectrum of water-based activities such as yachting, sailing and kite surfing," said Mr Marc Dardenne, CEO Emaar Hospitality Group LLC. "Dubai Marina Motor Yacht Club is a natural progression and perfectly complements the needs of the boating community in Dubai."

The aesthetically appealing clubhouse has been designed by Holford Architects. Its interior design, by international consultants, will be modern and totally functional. The clubhouse offers several lifestyle amenities to members including access to international yacht sale and brokers offices, marine insurance and registration bureau, charter office and boating school. The general public can also enjoy facilities such as a marine retail shopping arcade, restaurants and eateries, nautical gifts store, yachting fashion boutique, general stores and ample parking.

"The clubhouse and marina are customised to meet the needs of boats owners," said Caption Joe Goddard, General Manager, Dubai Marina Motor Yacht Club. "The berths are adequate for power boats 9 m to 30 m in length. We will have experienced dock masters to assist guests to board and load the vessels."

Other services include daily weather information, service carts and trolleys, shower and bathroom facilities, licenced cleaning and basic repair services, and complimentary water taxis from adjacent Emaar projects on Dubai Marina to the clubhouse.

"Dubai Marina has the best marinas in the region with clean and modern berths and safe, floating pontoons," said Captain Goddard, who brings in over 30 years of experience working in marinas. "Boat owners take less than two minutes to access the sea, which gives them more time to enjoy sporting activities."

Round-the-clock security and value-added services such as valet parking, weekly boat cleaning and monthly safety education seminars are offered to boat owners. "One of our assets is a team of trained staff members who can assist all new owners with their boats," added Captain Goddard. "We are also looking at collaborations with overseas marina clubs to enable international member privileges."

Dubai Marina Motor Yacht Club members receive facilities such as exclusive berthing on the yacht club marina pontoons, hi-tech function and seminar training rooms, complimentary use of club library and chart room, billiards and cigar room and special member nights.

Pre-registrations for founding membership of the club can be made at the Dubai International Boat Show to be held from March 13 to 17 at the Dubai International Marine Club. Membership is aimed at business and community leaders who are active boat owners. A corporate membership will also be offered, as the facilities suit networking and corporate training. The Club will be associated with global yachting events such as the Volvo Ocean Race and the America's Cup.

"The boat repair facility at Dubai Marina is most-modern and spreads over 10,000 sq m," said Captain Goddard. "A modern spray paint shed, rigging shed, administration offices, truck access for boat launching and boat access to the sea are facilities that will be built during 2007. Once fully operational, tradesman will perform boat lifting and launching, storage and berthing, wash down, antifouling, spray painting, boat building, fiberglass repairs, repair and sales of diesel and outboard engines and marine electrical repairs."

Dubai Marina encompasses a large canal with 3.5 km of waterfront offering access to the sea from both ends. Frilling the canal are waterfront living apartments. Emaar has six high-rise clusters at Dubai Marina - Al Majara, Al Sahab, Dubai Marina Towers, Marina Promenade, Marina Quays and Park Island. Three of them - Majara, Al Sahab and the Dubai Marina Towers - have been completed and the keys handed over to buyers. Potential investors can visit the Emaar Sales Centre at Building Number 1, Emaar Business Park for details on the various Dubai Marina projects and sales enquiries.