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Departure day …
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All is set for a big send-off.
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The Jewel logo is everywhere.
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The band takes a break from rehearsals.
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Dry dates will be loaded on Jewel.
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Along with dried lemons.
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Last minute interviews for National Geographic
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The newest crew member – part of the food stores.
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The crew are raring to go.
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Artists capture the Jewel’s departure.
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Young Omani women in traditional dress.
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The departure will be live on Oman TV.
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Capt Saleh briefs his crew.
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The band plays the National Anthem.
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Then there is a reading from the Koran.
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The story of the Jewel is told.
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HH Sayyid Shibab Bin Tariq Al Said delivers the main speech.
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A distinguished audience is present.
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Traditional folk dancers celebrate the departure
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Traditional dry goods are carried on board.
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Traditional drums salute the Jewel.
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Capt Saleh Said Al Jabri reads from the Koran.
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Capt Saleh takes his formal farewells.
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The crew head for the ship.
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It’s time to board ship.
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Capt Saleh rings the ship bell to signal it’s time to leave.
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Balloons signal Jewel is about to leave.
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The crew pushes Jewel off from the quay.
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Jewel is towed out of harbour.
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Tugs salute her with water jets.
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All the ships in port sound their horns.
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Jewel is on her way …
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Next stop – Cochin in India.
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The first sunset aboard Jewel
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Mateo Willis sets up a solar panel on the chicken cage.
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Capt. Saleh and Dr. Tom Vosmer
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1st Mate Khamis Al Hamdani and the ship's goat.
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Master Rigger Said Al Tarshi demonstrates his knot-tying skills.
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Limited space in the communications centre.
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1st Mate Khamis Al Hamdani at work on the ship's charts.
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Sajid Valappil hard at work.
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A man-overboard drill underway.
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Fahad Al Shaibi and Ayaz Al Zadjali re-size a block.
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Eric Staples examines the top of the main mast for wear.
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Pushpadas Elamassery fashions a seat for the anchor.
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Alessandro Ghidoni using a traditional clay water jug.
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Ahmed Al Baluchi reads while off watch.
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Adam Al Baluchi writes a letter.
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Yahya Al Faraji.
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View of the Jewel from the bow.
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Pushpadas Elamassery caulks the deck.
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Fahad Al Shaibi repairs the chicken coop.
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Ayaz Al Zadjali at the helm.
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Traditional gahela for cooling drinking water.
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Dolphin off the port side.
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There are always dishes to be washed.
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Captain Saleh using a traditional Kamal.
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Said Al Tarshi snags a bundle of coconut cordage which went overboard.
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Captain Saleh and Eric Staples tighten a loose rudder.
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All hands at work on deck while the sea is still calm.
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Captain Saleh explains the wind situation to the crew.
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A rough morning.
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Preparing breakfast on an angle.
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A sail under pressure.
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Steering takes a lot of concentration in heavy seas.
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All hands on deck to change a sail in pitching seas.
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Changing sails in choppy seas is a risky business.
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Success, the new sail goes up!
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A Masked Booby flying by.
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'Round her, the abysses of sky and sea'.
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Sunrise over calmer seas.
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Gentler winds give the crew time for friendly conversation at breakfast.
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Sailors need lots of knots.
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Alessandro Ghidoni collecting wash water in a canvas bucket.
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Said Al Tarshi and Sajid Valappil fixing the support strut to the mast.
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Sajid Valappil begins climbing the mast.
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The work continued into evening.
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Evening at the helm.
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Ayaz Al Zadjali works on a Baggy Wrinkle.
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First Mate Khamis Al Hamdani shows the crew how to use emergency flares.
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Cleaning Day.
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The crew enjoying Omani music and songs.
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Yahya Al Faraji serves the Friday meal of goat and rice.
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First Mate Khamis Al Hamdani.
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Sajid Valappil studies navigating by the stars.
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Said Al Tarshi and Eric Staples work to free a tangled line from the rudder.
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Adam Al Baluchi makes the morning bread.
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Said Al Tarshi wraps the baggy wrinkle on the mizzen forestay.
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Hussein Al Ra’isi at the helm.
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Adam Al Baluchi and Alessandro Ghidoni moving jerrycans.
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Risso's Dolphins.
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Ancient and modern meet in mid-ocean.
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Man-overboard drill.
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Captain Saleh demonstrating a rescue sling.
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A well-travelled moth takes a rest on board.
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Singaporean Jeff Khoo works on the baggy wrinkles.
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Sajid Valappil climbs the mast to repair the earlier reinforcements.
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Jewel of Muscat Sewing Club.
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Captain Saleh, Eric Staples and Adam Al Baluchi study 15th century Arab navigational texts.
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Jeff Khoo, Foreign Service Officer, Singapore
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Adam Al Baluchi washes fruit.
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Always work to be done.
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Alessandro Ghidoni and Ahmed Al Baluchi.
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Captain Saleh and Said Al Tarshi
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Sailing at sunset
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Dried shark - our favourite snack.
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Eric Staples cleans the mast camera, high above deck.
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Our much-used fishing line.
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9th century air-conditioning: Sheets catch wind to cool below decks.
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Ahmed Al Adawi answers a quiz question.
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Adam Al Baluchi leads his team in charades.
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Hussein Al Ra’isi was the champion egg racer
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Arm wrestling between Yahya Al Faraji and Ahmed Al Baluchi
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The victors!
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Yahya Al Faraji keeps Jewel on course.
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Adam Al Baluchi at the helm.
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Yahya Al Faraji and First Mate Khamis Al Hamdani work the sheet.
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Navigating with the sextant.
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A beautiful sunset - always a memorable gift.
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Jewel‘s toilets – basic, but a stunning view.
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Bringing the inflatable on board.
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Debriefing on the Abandon Ship drill.
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Sunset with Said Al Tarshi up the main mast setting a flag.
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Skies are beginning to look tropical.
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The crew prays together daily.
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Lowering the mizzen sail in high wind is a tough job.
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Said Al Tarshi does the risky work of fixing the storm sail to the yard.
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Preparing to hoist the storm sail.
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Indian Coast Guard greets the Jewel of Muscat
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Preparing the evening meal of dahl.
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Said Al Tarshi and Eric Staples tighten the rudder lashings.
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Mateo Willis climbs the main mast to inspect for wear.
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Kamals of different sizes.
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Dried fish, a staple food aboard Jewel.
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Ahmed Al Adawi is lifted from the rescue boat during a man overboard drill.
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Hussein Al Ra’isi finds relief from the heat.
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Fahad Al Shaibi climbs onto the inflatable after a refreshing swim.
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Underwater view of Jewel’s hull in 2,000 meters of water.
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Beans and dates for breakfast.
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Ale helps prepare our first real Italian dinner.
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Another hot, still evening.
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Sajid Valappil enjoys his morning coffee at the helm.
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Jewel’s crew watches the arrival of the Indian Navy.
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Captain Saleh exchanges gifts with an Indian naval officer.
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The first cold drink in weeks!
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Friday is a welcome rest day on the Jewel of Muscat
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Pushpadas Elamassery is looking forward to getting home to Kerala.
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A scorching day with little wind.
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Sajid Valappil hard at work even in the heat.
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Captain Saleh interviewed for National Geographic.
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The crew sharing work space in the shade.
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Proud members of the Port Watch.
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Proud members of the Starboard Watch.
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Singaporean Jeff Khoo receives a certificate from Captain Saleh.
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Jeff Khoo is given a sailor's cheer.
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Captain Saleh at the helm on the last evening before Cochin.
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Jewel approaches the Chinese fishing nets of Cochin.
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A flotilla welcomes Jewel into port.
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Jewel passes old Cochin.
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Jewel hoists a sail for the final stretch.
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Omani and Indian dignitaries ready to greet Jewel.
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Jewel approaches her berth.
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Jewel ties up.
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Hauling on the lines to bring her in.
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The crew’s smiles speak volumes.
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Passport formalities…..
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Then it’s time to celebrate.
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1,300 miles in 28 days…..
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The crew deserve to feel proud.
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The joy of stepping ashore.
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A warm greeting awaits them.
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The joy of a cold drink.
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A hero’s welcome for Capt Saleh.
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The dancing begins…
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Omani women in traditional dress salute the crew.
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The crew perform a boat dance.
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17 men, one team, one Jewel
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Jewel will be checked in dry dock before she leaves for Sri Lanka.
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Jewel approaches Cochin under tow by the Indian Coast Guard.
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The Jewel from above.
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An Indian Navy helicopter watches over Jewel.
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Entering Cochin.
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Jewel is the centre of attention.
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Jewel nears her berth.
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Jewel about to tie up.
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Jewel of Muscat lit up at anchor in Cochin