Omani sailors led by Captain Saleh bin Said Al Jabri has been living in the same conditions during the journey as their counterparts would have lived a millennium ago. Besides eating the same food — dried fish and dates — they lived in cramped and stark conditions.
The ‘Jewel of Muscat’ is a copy of an ancient Omani trading vessel discovered wrecked off the coast of Indonesia in 1998 while plying on the Oman-Singapore silk route. The ship assumes special significance not only because it is a maritime engineering feat but also because it helps revive memories of Omani sailors from the 9th century onwards.
Built entirely with no nails and bolts, the ship is a historical accomplishment as it is a reconstruction of a 9th century sewn-plank made of handmade coconut fibre ropes and wood. It was constructed in Qantab, a small fishing village near Muscat by a team of specialists who spent a year building the hull before she was launched in October last year.
The vessel will leave Kochi for Singapore via Sri Lanka and Malaysia where it will be given as a gift to the people of Singapore.
DH News Service