What is happening at the Mohammedia Nautical Base? "The Base is regularly closed on public holidays [notably on August 14, 20, and 21], even though these are the days when we can enjoy the sea," complain a majority of members, all of whom are sea enthusiasts.

Kamal Hajhouj, director of the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca and the Mohammedia Nautical Base, justifies this decision by the fact that "the Base is managed by civil servants," who do not work on those days. "Only a waiver obtained from the Ministry of Youth and Sports would allow such opening on public holidays," confides Kamal Hajhouj.

End of nautical activities

However, for years, enthusiasts of nautical activities and pleasure boating never found the doors closed on public holidays. "Since April, and the arrival of a new manager at the Nautical Base, the Base is closed on public holidays, Sundays, and Mondays. Furthermore, the new hours implemented [9 a.m. - 6 p.m.] are not practical for people who wish to go out to sea, go fishing, etc.," testifies Michel Marbeau, a disappointed member who confides that he is going to return his membership card.

For the disgruntled, a majority of the more than 150 members, the most serious issue remains the cessation of sailing and kayaking training provided by the Nautical Base since 2009, at the initiative of the former manager, Mohamed Oudada. "We had fought to obtain legal status from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Finance. In four years, 150 people have benefited from an introduction to sailing sports, including many children from surrounding primary schools," asserts Mohammed Oudada. Since April, no sports activity has been provided by the Base.

The Nautical Base does not have the mission of providing sailing lessons. Our services are limited to the rental of nautical equipment, making our hangar available for boat storage, and security. Only an association can use the Base to practice sailing, but with a group of at least 21 people.Kamal Hajhouj, director of the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca and the Mohammedia Nautical Base

For Adil, another member, the stopping of sailing lessons is a catastrophe for young people, who can no longer practice sailing. "It was the only refuge in Mohammedia for sailing enthusiasts." This father does not understand. "Before, there was a good team of members and their children, supervised by instructors, who had the desire to advance nautical sports in Mohammedia [from which several sailing champions emerged, editor's note]. Today, everything has been stopped… the Base is dying."

"The practice of sailing by children does not constitute any threat"

Ali, an instructor at the Yacht Club of Mohammedia, and Tarek, an instructor at the Bautilus navigation school, located at the Nautical Base, explain this "sad situation" by the fact that the new manager "has no notion of nautical sports and therefore no desire to improve their practice in Mohammedia."

A point of view shared by Haj Lahlou, another disappointed member. "Before, the managers of the Base did everything for the well-being of boaters and the development of nautical sports. Today, the management put in place is catastrophic." Among the members, there is talk of a desire to sabotage the nautical experience of the Base. "We are undoing what has been built over several years," affirms Michel Marbeau.

Mehdi Rouizem, director of Bautilus, is no kinder. "Access to the water and the boat hangar are regularly closed without notice. The hangar has become a dumping ground for unused boats. What is more, members have difficulty knowing who to turn to to share their concerns." Adil adds that the lack of communication puts the patience of the members to a severe test.

A point on which Kamal Hajhouj wants to be reassuring. "I invite the dissatisfied members to come and meet me at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in order to dialogue together and consider the organization of sailing lessons, but while remaining within the limits of the law." The director of the Nautical Base specifies that "the port of Mohammedia is not a marina."

The State representative highlights above all the security problems that arise from nautical outings, and the reports that have multiplied in recent years between the Nautical Base and the director of the port of Mohammedia, following a port security code drafted after the attack in the port of Aden (South Yemen).

The former manager of the Base, Mohammed Oudada, asserts that the safety of children and other sailors has always been ensured by competent instructors. "One cannot practice sailing anywhere other than from the Nautical Base. This practice, by children, does not constitute any threat to the port. Moreover, the children are trained, supervised, and for some, taken off the street thanks to nautical sports." The social stake of sailing lessons was then at the center of the concerns of civilians active in the operation of the Base, opening sailing to all and especially to children from disadvantaged classes, for example through schools in the region and orphanages.