Abu Dhabi Dhows

Having spent my first career as a U.S. Coast Guard officer, my photography continues to be drawn back to the water.  I have shared only a small portion of my nautically focused work so I decided to would share these photographs – and because they may contribute to my project “The Unfamiliar Abu Dhabi.

The photographs featured in this post have a common subject; the Dhows of Abu Dhabi.  A Dhow is a traditional Arab vessel powered by sail and with engines more recently.  Sail powered Dhows still ferry fish and dates between the Gulf of Arabia and the East Coast of Africa.

The Dhow has a very unique shape and has a wider notoriety for the type of sail used.  All the dhows featured here are equipped with engines, but the original dhows used a particular type of sail called a lateen.  The lateen is reported to have been copied by the Portuguese who are well known for their worldwide maritime presence and seamanship.

The design of the dhow has a centuries old tradition.  The design and construction materials have remained essentially unchanged with the exception of the addition of engines.  Dhows remain in productive service primarily as fishing boats and a kind of coastal freighter.

I hope you enjoyed the photography and similarly enjoy the nautical theme.  There will undoubtedly be more nautical and seascape related photography to come.
Have fun and go make some great photography.
Craig