Musandam back into the Northern Hemisphere

9:13 AM Thu 19 Mar 2009 GMT

'The Doldrums - Round the World Attempt onboard Musandam' Oman Sail

At 11:39:10 GMT on 17 March 2009, Musandam and crew inched across the equator and into the welcoming breeze of the Northern Hemisphere. After 68 days at sea, 63 of them spent in the Southern Hemisphere, Mohsin Al Busaidi and the rest of the crew were elated at the prospect of having no more goals to reach before crossing the finish line off Muscat.

'We are only making seven knots of boat speed at the moment but it feels much faster after the unthinkably slow speeds of the last week. At this stage we just need to keep the boat together and continue the daily checks and get home safely. We are in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the sea is an awesome crystal clear blue colour, and very flat - it's lovely. I asked Mohsin how happy he was to be at the equator, and he couldn't stop smiling for a good 20 minutes - he feels like he is nearly home, and has two of the best eyes onboard - I can imagine him in a few days straining at the horizon for any hint of his home land.' Charles Darbyshire, Navigator and Communications.

Although the crew are desperate to keep clean and avoid salt sores, they have had to dodge heavy clouds and the torrential rain and wind that comes with the Doldrums. Keeping the boat intact after weeks in the South is paramount to getting across the finish line and sudden squalls are inviting disaster - a trade off the crew are willing to take! On the 64th day at sea Mohsin took advantage of calm sea conditions and dropped a hook over the side with the result being fresh fish on the menu- a welcome respite from the dried food and an all important boost to morale.

Final sun rise in the Southern Hemisphere - Round the World Attempt onboard Musandam - Oman Sail

On the equator the ambient temperature was in the high 30's (100F) which pushed the temperatures down below in the living quarters into the 40's (110F), as they move further north the temperatures have dropped slightly to a more comfortable 30 degrees (85F) above and below decks. As there was very little sailing going and daily distances were below 100 miles there was little for the crew to report on but in a moment of levity the navigation software printed out the trajectory from the morning of the 16th March - proving that a picture speaks a thousand words!

On the way out of Muscat Musandam took five days to reach the equator from the start line - this is a very basic way of measuring the estimated time of arrival (ETA) back in Muscat of between 22nd - 25th March. The weather between now (18th March ) and the finish is still unpredicatable with one more large high pressure system 800 miles ahead in the Arabian Sea to negotiate, this area of light airs could block their path and slow progress again.

Mohsin road show truck - Round the World Attempt onboard Musandam - Oman Sail

Back in Muscat the excitement is building as Mohsin draws closer to home and being the first Arab to sail round the world non-stop. Starting on Saturday morning (14th March) with a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, a 'Go Mohsin' card started a week long tour of Muscat's busiest spots. In reality the card is a long banner that was first signed by the Minister of Tourism and has gone on to collect well over 2,000 signatures and wishes spanning over 40 metres. Wherever the road show has been there has been queues of individuals and families all wishing to add their name to this moment in history and show their pride in this national project.

On the arrival day, anywhere between the 22nd and the 25th when different wind scenarios are taken into consideration, the scene along the waterfront in the traditional port of Muscat will be buzzing with throngs of supporters and crew family and friends (Mohsin's extended family which numbers over 200 on it's own). A welcome ceremony will be held with VIP's, families of the crew, local and international press and thousands of well wishers converging to celebrate the momentous occasion of Mohsin returning to Muscat. Mohsin is well on his way to becoming a national icon and a role model for school children and the general public alike. Oman is very proud of it's maritime heritage and this circumnavigation has been taken to the hearts of thousands who want to share their pride.

www.omansail.com

by Oman Sail

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