‘Jewel of Muscat’ arrives at Kerala port

Jewel of Muscat, a replica of the ninth century wind-powered dhow, anchored at the port here after sailing for 28 days from Oman.

India’s Navy and Coast Guard greeted the merchant sailing vessel as it entered its waters and escorted her safely to the port over the weekend. The ship berthed at the port at 11 a.m. Monday, kicking off celebrations at the port.

Indian and Omani officials received the sailors at the quayside as the Omani artists greeted them with singing and dancing and the sailors reciprocated and swayed to their tune. The vessel will remain docked on the Willingdon Island Quay for few more days before the next leg of her journey begins on April 10.

A gift from Sultan Qaboos, the Sultan of Oman, to Singapore, the vessel left Oman on Feb. 16 and is expected to reach the city state in July on the ancient silk route.

“The Jewel is an example of Oman’s proud maritime heritage, and today I am honored to welcome our heroes in their first stop on their way to Singapore,” said Oman’s Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Yusuf Al Zarafi. “Oman and India continues to have a healthy and strong relationship since ages and the Jewel of Muscat reflects and honors this relationship between the two countries.”

The crew disembarked to stirring music played by the brass band of the Indian Navy. As they made their way onshore a troupe of Omani artists performed traditional drumming and dancing.

“This is a historic moment that everyone will cherish for long. It emphasizes the trade and cultural ties that these regions were enjoying for centuries,” Humaid Al Maani, the Oman ambassador to India, told reporters here.

Dr V Venu, Kerala’s Tourism Secretary, and N Ramachandran, chairman of the port, were among the dignitaries present to greet the sailors.

Kochi is the first port of call of the vessel that will also call at Galle in Sri Lanka, George Town (Penang) and Malacca in Malaysia before reaching Singapore, covering a total of 3000 miles solely on the wind power.

At the port here, the vessel will be checked in a dry dock to undergo necessary check-ups and repairs including a new coat of paint before starting a two-week voyage to the Sri Lankan port, officials said.

Once the voyage is completed, she will become part of a maritime museum in Singapore.

The Coast Guard’s vessel ICGS Lakshmibai escorted the vessel as its Dornier aircraft monitored the position and safety of the vessel. She was welcomed about 200 nautical miles off the coast by a Coast Guard Dornier.

The Navy and the Coast Guard gave a ceremonial ‘water reception’ from the outer harbor with seagoing vessels escorting her to the berth and a state reception followed, before the crew retired for a well earned rest.

Cultural troupes from the Indian Center for Cultural Relations and State Tourism Department will perform at the grand official reception being accorded to the sailors in the Kerala port city Wednesday.