Kochi April 10 (Inditop.com) The ‘Jewel of Muscat’ – a replica of a ninth century dhow – left for Galle in Sri Lanka Saturday after a nearly four-week stay here.
The vessel, a gift from the Sultan of Oman to Singapore, left the shores of Oman Feb 16 and arrived here March 15.
State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who was impressed by the dhow, had a close look at the vessel before waving goodbye to the 17-member crew, which includes two people from Kerala.
Built of wood and coconut ropes, it was modelled on a timber and coconut rope dhow whose wreck was salvaged 12 years ago off Indonesia’s Belitung islands.
The discovery of the wreck excited maritime scholars, who viewed it as solid proof of a maritime silk route from Middle East to China.
The 18-metre-long wooden dhow displaces 55 tonnes. The wood for the boat was brought from India, Myanmar and Africa while the coconut ropes were procured from Kerala and the sails from Zanzibar. Not a single nail was used in building it
In earlier times, it was through these dhows that trade flourished between Middle East and India with spices being exported from here.
M.C.Roy, director of shipping agent Opel Asia, which handled the dhow here, told Inditop that it was an experience for all those who saw the vessel.
“The crew of the dhow had a number of interactions with a cross section of the society here. They also visited a school and conducted quizzes and painting competitions. Their basic aim was to create awareness,” said Roy.
Inspecting the vessel that was berthed in the dry dock of the port, the crew was surprised to find out that the anti-fouling coating – made out of goat fat and lime mixture – on the hull was intact despite the journey from Muscat to Kochi.
“They were expecting that the coating would have peeled off, but much to their surprise, nothing happened. They also gave a fresh coat of fish oil on the outside of the vessel. Their next stop is Galle, then they go to Malaysia and wind up their trip at Singapore some time in June,” Roy added.
