Jewel of Muscat

For the purposes of safety, education, and to properly document the performance of the vessel, modern technology will be on board. For example, we would not be allowed at sea without life rafts, flares, compass, EPIRB, radios, navigation lights, radar reflector, AIS (Automatic Identification System), automatic position beacon. Unlike the ninth century, we have modern shipping to contend with, and ships are one of the major dangers we face. We will have satellite communications, primarily to connect with schools.

We will have GPS for navigation, and to compare with our own ability to use ancient navigation aids like the kamal. Modern sensors which record such things as wind speed/direction, heel angle, trim angle, rudder angle, boat speed will be fitted in order to document accurately the performance of the vessel and to help us learn better how to sail the boat.

There will be no engine, no modern materials in the structure of the boat, the rigging or the sails.

We cannot expect 21st century people to suddenly jump into a 9th-century diet, so although we will carry food like dates and dried fish, we will also have some modern foods. We will also experiment with non-modern food and water storage and processing techniques. Cooking will be done over charcoal.

The toilets will be the standard ‘zoolie’, wooden boxes with a hole in the bottom, slung over the side.