Jewel of Muscat
Videos, photos and information on how Oman and Singapore are reconstructing a 9th-century Arab ship
Latest Log Entry
Detailed accounts from on board the Jewel on her 3,000 mile voyage to Singapore. Usually updated daily.
Record speeds
8th March 2010
In strong winds the Jewel covers more than 100 miles in 24 hours.
An eventful day aboard the Jewel of Muscat. Winds have ranged from 15-20 knots most of the day and we reached a top speed of 6.6 knots in the early afternoon. In the last 24 hours we've covered 105 miles--great news. The high winds have also brought two-metre swells so the ship has been rolling dramatically, as you might be able to see in today's photographs. But the crew is handling the rough conditions well and we take great care as we move about the deck. When the winds exceeded 16 knots, Captain Saleh ordered the crew to replace the mizzen sail with the smaller, safer storm sail. It was a tricky bit of work to make the change in such swells, but after an hour and a half of effort by all hands, the procedure was completed successfully. At the moment, we continue to use the storm sail.
We shall soon arrive at the pre-determined waypoint from which we turn almost due east and enter a channel that will bring us between two of the Lakshadweep Islands. The channel is 40 miles wide, but we shall still have to exercise extreme caution as we make our way through the passage tonight. Once on the mainland side of the islands, we hope to have clear sailing eastward to Cochin.
We had a couple visitors today. The first was an airplane from the Indian Coast Guard that flew by this morning and made several low passes over the ship as the crew waved their hats. The pilots radioed their greetings to Captain Saleh and the crew and asked how we were doing. Captain Saleh responded with his own greetings and with thanks for their concern for our welfare.
Our second visitor was a Bridled Tern which landed for a while on the upper yard of the main sail. These birds breed in the summer on the offshore islands of Oman, but then head seaward in the winter where they spend months at a time without settling on land. Our friend today, however, was clearly looking for a place to rest. Upon close inspection with binoculars, we saw that its breast was heavily stained with oil and it was trying to clean itself while perched on the yard. The strong winds and the rolling of the ship prevented it from staying long and after about fifteen minutes it flew off towards the east.
The crew is already talking amongst themselves about what they will do first when they get to Cochin. High on everybody's list are calling home, a shower, and a long sleep.
Log Entries
8th March 2010In strong winds the Jewel covers more than 100 miles in 24 hours.
7th March 2010The Jewel approaches the Lakshadweep Islands.
6th March 2010The crew prepares for stronger winds and practices vital safety drills.
5th March 2010We come from several different countries, but we are truly one team with one heart and we help each other do our best.
5th March 2010A day of rest aboard the Jewel and a night time visit from dolphins.
4th March 2010The Jewel of Muscat crew is treated to a very special event – a sighting of a blue whale.
3rd March 2010We have been observing the stars carefully every night, for navigational purposes and to learn the various constellations and planets.
2nd March 2010Before the sunset tonight, I looked at the Omani flag flying on the ship and was once again filled with pride about this voyage and what it represents.
2nd March 2010Even as I hope for favourable winds, I will be savouring every minute of this exceptional voyage.
1st March 2010Fair winds give the Captain and crew time to study the works of the great Omani navigator and poet Ahmed Ibn Majid.
1st March 2010A special message from Capt Saleh Al Jabri and the crew to the victims of the Chilean earthquake.
28th February 2010Readers might find it interesting to learn a bit about the wind system that most characterizes the Indian Ocean--the monsoon.
27th February 2010The crew gave a cheer when Captain Saleh announced we had covered 66 miles in the last 24 hours--our best day for some time.
26th February 2010I did not want to miss this chance to learn what it was like for my ancestors to sail to distant lands
25th February 2010We took advantage of the calm seas to clean the ship and air out the space below decks.
24th February 2010The major task on board today was to fix a large support strut to the mizzen mast - a difficult and rather tricky task.
23rd February 2010A calm and beautiful day, with scattered white clouds and light winds. We are learning that good sailors must be patient.
22nd February 2010I'm learning how Omanis over a thousand years ago managed to cross the Indian Ocean on cleverly designed but simple ships.
21st February 2010I feel very attached to this ship. It has become a close friend.
19th February 2010Today is sunny and clear with a light southerly winds. It's good to see we're making progress on the map.
19th February 2010I am very happy to have the chance to sail on the Jewel of Muscat.
18th February 2010As one can see from the website map, we've made good progress the last two nights, only to have our gains erased by a combination of very low or even contrary winds during the day.
17th February 2010Greetings from all of us aboard the Jewel of Muscat on a bright, still morning.
16th February 2010I’m very sad at the moment, to leave the family back home, but we have to leave one day
16th February 2010
15th February 2010We are getting so many messages of support and good luck wishes.- 11th February 2010We completed our first overnight sea trial today.
4th January 2010I was feeling really nervous as we left harbour, a lot of things might have gone wrong. But the first sea trial was excellent, things went really well.
4th January 2010Things went so well today on the first sea trial. I’m exhausted and sunburnt, but relieved.
29th November 2009After the launch we had to face another delicate process – to dry the boat we had to bring her out of the water again!
18th October 2009The launch was such a long process I am absolutely confused how long it took. Someone told me 46 hours – it could be.
18th October 2009For me the launch was like my baby being born, it was exciting but there were some bad minutes.
18th October 2009Eric was one of the divers in the sea around the Jewel of Muscat as she was launched.
5th October 2009I am honoured to be selected as the Captain of the Jewel of Muscat.
16th September 2009The scaffolding has come down and now the tricky planning for the launch has begun.
4th July 2009The heat is on, literally and figuratively. Temperatures regularly top 40° C, with humidity like a heavy, hot, clammy blanket.
14th June 2009It is getting very hot on the construction site now: in the last few weeks the temperature has reached 52C.
25th March 2009Dark clouds loomed over the mountains, lightning flickering, an ominous rumbling of thunder.
15th March 2009On March 15 the President of Singapore came to the site to launch the website.
27th January 2009Construction is going very well: the speed of the work is increasing and the workers are getting used to reaching high standards.
3rd January 2009The biggest difference for me about this project is that I’ve only worked on small models of ships before.- 29th September 2008After months the main timber supply for the ship has arrived from Africa.
19th September 2008There is a controlled sense of excitement at the moment.