Kuwaiti authority remind boaters of rules

Sea goers who own boats and small ships must seek to obtain a permit ahead of August 15 or risk punishment, the Ministry of Transportation announced on Thursday.
The undersecretary, Hamid Al-Gattan, said in a statement that the ministry staff had taken all necessary preparations to receive applications for the permit, "nokhatha-b" license, ahead of the set date, in line with a relevant ministerial resolution.
"Nokhatha" is a local Kuwaiti term referring to captain of a dhow, a wooden ship used in the old times for pearl diving and overseas' trade.
The permit applications must be delivered at the ministry's marine transportation department he said, also setting several terms for a valid application, such as age must not be lower than 18.
Al-Gattan mentioned other conditions; boaters must carry the original registration paper of the boat, must set sail at slow pace from the beach -- for 200 meters -- and slow down when sailing back to shore.
Moreover, boaters must abstain from approaching or anchoring off beaches, chalets or public entertainment complexes. Furthermore, sea races warrant permits in advance.