Ship’s logs
Throughout the Jewel project members of the crew and building team wrote diaries about their experiences. In this section you can read all the log entries from the very first stages of construction through the excitement of the voyage to the arrival in Singapore.
Eric Staples, Documentation Manager
There is a controlled sense of excitement at the moment.
Tom Vosmer, Construction Director
After months the main timber supply for the ship has arrived from Africa
Ayaz b. Khalid al-Zadjali
The biggest difference for me about this project is that I’ve only worked on small models of ships before
Luca Belfioretti, Site Manager
Construction is going very well: the speed of the work is increasing and the workers are getting used to reaching high standards
The President’s Visit
On March 15 the President of Singapore came to the site to launch the website
The first storm
Dark clouds loomed over the mountains, lightning flickering, an ominous rumbling of thunder
19th strake goes on
It is getting very hot on the construction site now: in the last few weeks the temperature has reached 52C
The heat is on
The heat is on, literally and figuratively. Temperatures regularly top 40° C, wihumidity like a heavy, hot, clammy blanket
Preparing for launch
The scaffolding has come down and now the tricky planning for the launch has begun
The Captain’s First Log
I am honoured to be selected as the Captain of the Jewel of Muscat
Eric Staples
Eric was one of the divers in the sea around the Jewel of Muscat as she was launched
Saleh Al Jabri
For me the launch was like my baby being born, it was exciting but there were some bad minutes
Tom Vosmer
The launch was such a long process I am absolutely confused how long it took. Someone told me 46 hours – it could be
Luca Belfioretti
After the launch we had to face another delicate process – to dry the boat we had to bring her out of the water again!
Tom Vosmer, Construction Director
Things went so well today on the first sea trial. I’m exhausted and sunburnt, but relieved
Saleh al Jabri, Captain of the Jewel of Muscat
I 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
First overnight sea trial
We completed our first overnight sea trial today
The voyage ahead
We are getting so many messages of support and good luck wishes
A message from H.E. Sayyid Badr
A personal message from H.E. Sayyid Badr, Sec General, Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs
As we set sail
I’m very sad at the moment, to leave the family back home, but we have to leave one day
The first morning
Greetings from all of us aboard the Jewel of Muscat on a bright, still morning
Winds, stars and dolphins
As 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
Sailing on the Jewel
I am very happy to have the chance to sail on the Jewel of Muscat
Traditional Arab navigation
Today is sunny and clear with a light southerly winds. It’s good to see we’re making progress on the map
A dream come true
I feel very attached to this ship. It has become a close friend
Captain’s Log
I’m learning how Omanis over a thousand years ago managed to cross the Indian Ocean on cleverly designed but simple ships
‘Round her, the abysses of sky and sea’
A calm and beautiful day, with scattered white clouds and light winds. We are learning that good sailors must be patient
Tricky work on the mast
The major task on board today was to fix a large support strut to the mizzen mast – a difficult and rather tricky task
Calm wonders
We took advantage of the calm seas to clean the ship and air out the space below decks
First Mate’s Log
I did not want to miss this chance to learn what it was like for my ancestors to sail to distant lands
A fine sailing day
The crew gave a cheer when Captain Saleh announced we had covered 66 miles in the last 24 hours–our best day for some time
Monsoon winds
Readers might find it interesting to learn a bit about the wind system that most characterizes the Indian Ocean–the monsoon
Captain’s Log
A special message from Capt Saleh Al Jabri and the crew to the victims of the Chilean earthquake
Arab master of navigation
Fair winds give the Captain and crew time to study the works of the great Omani navigator and poet Ahmed bin Majid
Savouring every moment
Even as I hope for favourable winds, I will be savouring every minute of this exceptional voyage
Captain’s Log: The Jewel family
Before 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
Humbled by the heavens
We have been observing the stars carefully every night, for navigational purposes and to learn the various constellations and planets
Whale-watching and other sports
The Jewel of Muscat crew is treated to a very special event – a sighting of a blue whale
A day of rest
A day of rest aboard the Jewel and a night time visit from dolphins
A life at sea
We come from several different countries, but we are truly one team with one heart and we help each other do our best
Safety first
The crew prepares for stronger winds and practices vital safety drills
Islands ho!
The Jewel approaches the Lakshadweep Islands
Record speeds
In strong winds the Jewel covers more than 100 miles in 24 hours
Fickle winds and ancient navigation
Fitful winds mean the Jewel is only crawling along as the crew tries to evaluate ancient navigation techniques
The story of the Jewel
The Singapore Foreign Minister tells the Singapore side of the story of the Jewel of Muscat
Dog days
Becalmed just off Cochin the crew is suffering in the heat and jumps at the chance to take to the sea
Slow but beautiful
The Jewel is slow, but she is a beautiful ship and it is interesting for me to see how Omanis sailed across the ocean a thousand years ago
Inching towards Cochin
The Jewel inches toward Cochin through a stifling heat relieved by an excellent dinner!
Pepper and spice
The Indian Navy pays a welcome visit to the Jewel as she heads toward Cochin – a city with a long history of trading spices with the Arab and Roman world
Final straight
Excitement mounts as the Jewel approaches Cochin, but not just because of the prospect of stepping ashore after 26 days at sea
End of the leg
The crew of the Jewel of Muscat make final preparations to land in Cochin, with mixed feelings
Captain’s Log
Captain Saleh gives thanks and pays tribute to his crew at the end of the first leg
Captain’s Log
It is quite magic now to arrive here in Cochin with the crew all safe and well
An exciting day!
An exciting and busy day today as the Jewel of Muscat began the second leg of its voyage to Singapore
A knotty problem
As the crew gathered for its first breakfast of this leg, it was clear that it will take a while to get used to life aboard the Jewel of Muscat again
Meet Tuanie Ismail
Last night’s storm remained several kilometres ahead of us through the night, before finally dissipating at dawn. Despite our earlier expectation of rain, today was sunny and clear wivery light winds
Ready for rain
Today began with only a light breeze, so the ship poked along at less than two knots for several hours. By late afternoon, however, the skies began to darken and the winds picked up–propelling the Jewel along at a more dignified rate of four knots
Stormy weather
A long and tiring day. The winds overnight increased to
20+ knots, briefly propelling the Jewel of Muscat to a new top speed of 7.8 knots, wiPushpadas at the helm
Repairing storm damage
Jewel’s crew work hard to recover from the aftermath of the storm
Jewel nears the island of gems
The crew of the Jewel cope with more rain and look ahead to their arrival in Sri Lanka with its fascinating history as a stop for traders through the centuries
A beautiful day at sea
The crew enjoy a visit from the Sri Lankan Navy a tropical sunset – and a shampoo!
A love of the sea
Hussein Al Ra’isi, ship’s bosun and rigger, tells of his love of life at sea
Final approach to Galle
The crew prepare for the arrival in Galle Sri Lanka
Busy days in Sri Lanka
Work on preparing the Jewel for the next leg of her voyage is making good progress while the crew welcomes many Sri Lankan visitors to the ship
New sails for Jewel
Work begins on preparing the new woven sails for the Jewel while some of the crew answer questions from students of the local International School
Busy days in Galle
Jewel’s crew has been involved in many and varied activities in the past few days in Galle, Sri Lanka
The masts take shape
Work on hand-shaping the new masts moves forward as Jewel has a close call in the harbour at Galle
A emotional send off for Jewel
A first hand account of an emotional send off for Jewel from the port of Galle
Wind and rain
A day of rain and squalls as Jewel begins the leg to Malaysia
Top speed: 8.4 knots!
Jewel is making fast progress across the Bay of Bengal but it’s hard going
Roughest day yet
Jewel covers huge distances as the rough weather continues
Calmer weather – for now
Jewel’s crew is relieved to get some calmer weather
Growing up with the sea
Fahad Al Shaibi tells the story of how he came to help build the Jewel and now sails on her as crew
Jewel’s carving
An explanation of the new inscription to be found carved into the Jewel
Rectangles and triangles
Maintenance and repairs on board Jewel and why the ship has rectangular sails rather than triangular ones
Keeping it safe
Jewel passes Great Nicobar Island and the crew practice safety drills
A love of sewn boats
Sajid Valappil talks of his love of sewn boats
A fisherman’s tale
A calm day with little wind is a good time to reflect on the lessons of the voyage
Living by the wind
Mylai Prabhakar considers how sailing on the Jewel compares with the ships he usually works on