Al Maktoum Bridge's Lifting Section

Ludwig Hejze from Austria was Captain of the Dredger "William Strobel". This is his description of events in 1970.....

Sir William Halcrow planned HH Sheikh Rashid would sail under the raised Lifting Section to open the Bridge. But my company received an order to dredge the Upper Creek and wanted me to start immediately. The dredger was too high to get under the bridge so I would have to spend two days partly dismantling the Dredger to reduce its height. It was unnecessary work and I wanted to sail the dredger under the bridge. Halcrow's Site Manager did not agree because of their plans for Sheikh Rashid to be the first under the bridge.
That evening I met Neville Allen (Halcrow's Director) and told him what I wanted to do but he could not help. Next day I was told to start dismantling the dredger. I decided to try again to persuade them to let me sail under the bridge. I argued if I sailed safely under the bridge it would be safe for Sheikh Rashid to do so. To my surprise Halcrow's agreed but their Site Manager insisted on operating the bridge controls. As I sailed through I pointed one finger of my right hand into the air to show I was the first and did a "thumbs up" with my other hand to show all was well. I could see Halcrow's Site Manager shouting at me from the Control Tower but noise prevented me hearing what he said. I do not think it was something children should hear! Later I was told Sheikh Rashid said "No!" when he was asked if he wanted to sail by boat to open the bridge. He opened the Al Maktoum Bridge by cutting a ribbon then pressing a button to operate the Lifting Bridge.