Thursday, January 8, 2009

Oman Sail: Set sail round the world!



Musandam crew waving goodbye as the begin their Round the World Attempt from Muscat. 8 January, 2009. L-R: Mohsin Ali Al Busaidi (Oman), Charles Darbyshire (GBR), Loik Gallon (FRA) - Skipper, Nick Houchin (GBR), Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent (FRA)© Lloyd Images/ Oman Sail

Mohsin and Musandam set sail round the world!
Marina Bander Al Rowda was packed on Thursday afternoon as Ministers, VIP guests and members of the general public came to wish Mohsin Al Busaidi and the crew of Musandam fair winds and a safe journey on their attempt to sail round the world.

With last minute checks of the equipment complete and freeze dried food for eighty days stored safely away, the crew were joined by the rest of the Oman Sail team and well wishers as they slipped their mooring at the marina. A flotilla of ships and a Royal Navy warship then accompanied Musandam across the start time and waved her off as she disappeared from view of land and the start of her 40,000 kilometre journey round the world. The start time was officially recorded as 14:30:30 January 8.

Her Excellency Dr Rajha bint Abdulamair bin Ali, The Minister of Tourism and His Excellency Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, The Minister of Sports shook hands with the crew as the left dry land for the last time until they return they return to Muscat. Her Excellency said of this occasion "We have a grand new beginning for Oman Sail today with the start of Musandam’s journey around the world. Musandam’s journey will take around 80 days and we wish them all the best in their journey which will open new prospects for Oman. We hope that with the beginning of this journey, we will have more achievements and more sailing in Oman.” Read more at