Jewel of Muscat
Videos, photos and information on the reconstruction of a 9th-century Arab ship, and its historic voyage from Oman to Singapore.
Preparing for Sea
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The morning of the first sea trial. -
Capt. Saleh al Jabri and Khamis al Hamdani prepare the rigging. -
Said al Tarshi checks the yards. -
Saleh al Jabri and Adam al Baluchi lash the mizzen mast upper yard. -
Yahya al Faraji helps attach a sail. -
The Royal Navy of Oman tow the boat out. -
First the steering is tested under tow. -
Capt Saleh finds the steering responsive. -
So the main sail is hoisted... -
...and the Jewel begins to sail. -
With the ship handling well the second sail is hoisted. -
The sails prove easy to hoist. -
Babu Sankaran and Khamis al Hamdani hoist the mizzen sail. -
The wind fills the sails. -
It’s a tense moment for all the crew. -
It’s the climax of two years planning and building. -
The Jewel under full sail for the first time. -
With both sails up, she handles fine. -
In light winds she makes 2.2 knots. -
The crew are learning fast. -
Ahmed al Baluchi and the crew adjust the sails. -
Adam al Baluchi gets the feel of the ship. -
On deck the tension is gone – the Jewel sails just fine. -
Sailing close to the wind... -
...the Jewel performs well for a square rig. -
The Jewel passes her first trial. -
The Jewel handles well even close to the wind. -
The crew are delighted as the sails come down. -
It’s back to harbour now, but more trials will follow. -
Jewel’s crew onboard as the ship is formally named -
Dignitaries from Singapore and Oman at the naming ceremony. -
The naming ceremony marks the friendship between Oman and Singapore. -
H.E. Abdul Aziz Rawas meets the crew -
Singapore’s former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong meets the crew -
H.E Sayyid Badr meets the crew. -
The official delegations on board Jewel -
H.E Abdul Aziz Rawas, cultural adviser to HM Sultan Qaboos. -
Sayyid Badr Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. -
Sayyid Badr bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes Goh Chok Tong Singapore Senior Minister to a gala dinner -
The gala dinner was held to celebrate the Jewel of Muscat project. -
More than 300 guests came to the gala. -
They were entertained in traditional tents. -
Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke at the gala. -
H.E Zainaul Abidin Rasheed, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also spoke. -
The senior Minister thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said for the gift of the Jewel. -
Saleh Said Al Jabri, Captain of the Jewel also spoke. -
The crew of the Jewel took the stage to great applause. -
Capt Saleh and the crew of the Jewel. -
A folk troop entertained the guests. -
The dance troop in full flow. -
Jewel heads out for an overnight sail. -
It’s a calm evening with little wind. -
Preparing dinner. -
Jewel at sunset. -
As night falls the wind drops further. -
Capt Saleh decides to lower sails. -
Cooking on the charcoal grill. -
Night fishing anyone? -
Crew member Jeff Khoo from Singapore. -
Sunrise from the Jewel. -
H.E Sayyid Badr tries his hand at steering. -
Capt Saleh shows H.E Sayyid Badr below decks. -
H.E Sayyid Badr and the Jewel crew. -
Time for breakfast! -
A night at sea gives you an appetite. -
Capt Saleh plots the course home. -
One of the many school visits to Jewel. -
It’s a great chance to learn and have fun. -
The Jewel in her final days at the marina -
Babu Sankaran works on the final touches. -
Everything must be ready for sea. -
Anchors and ropes are ready. -
Modern safety aids like compasses are in now. -
The first stores come on board – dates and halwha. -
The stores are unloaded. -
The stores must last the 18 crew four weeks. -
Stores include cooking fuel and cleaning materials. -
Then everything is wheeled down to the ship. -
Everything will be stored below decks. -
Today families are visiting the Jewel. -
The children watch the stores being loaded. -
Dreaming of a life at sea? -
The Jewel will soon be leaving the marina. -
Her timbers glow in the sunlight. -
The Jewel’s rigging reflected in her tow boat. -
The crew understands her complex rigging now. -
The massive blocks that help raise the sails. -
Everything is kept tidy. -
National Geographic filming last minute work. -
The charcoal cooker is ready. -
Capt Saleh talks to visiting students. -
A last chance to grab a photo. -
Safety equipment is in position. -
And the toilets or zoolies are in place -
The ship has its bell now. -
The Jewel bears her name with pride. -
Liferafts are ready in case of emergency. -
Last minute work up the mast. -
Heights don’t bother crew member Mateo Willis. -
Below deck bunks have been fitted. -
There’ll be no privacy. -
Too bad if your neighbour snores! -
Fresh water is stored in a tank and jerry cans. -
The crew ready for sea! -
Fly the Omani flag with pride. -
Capt Saleh briefs the crew first thing. -
Cages for chickens are loaded. -
Jewel slips her mooring at the marina for the last time. -
Jewel departs Marina Bandar Al Rowdha. -
Jewel passes Muttrah fort. -
Jewel is towed into Port Sultan Qaboos. -
Jewel in Port Sultan Qaboos. -
Jewel’s reflection. -
Traditional water pots. -
Traditional goatskins for water. -
It’s crowded below with all the crew’s gear. -
Supplies for four weeks stacked up. -
Sunset on the Jewel. -
Jewel’s last night in Oman begins. -
Sunset Port Sultan Qaboos.
