Ship Foreman Noor Mohamed, 38, from Gujarat, India. "I been working on boats since I was 13, and I have been a foreman for almost 15 years now. My job is to make sure everything on the boat goes well. I supervise the loading, transit and off loading of the cargo. I am responsible for everything that goes in the hold or on the boat and I don't make mistakes." Antonie Robertson / The National
Ship Foreman Noor Mohamed, 38, from Gujarat, India. "I been working on boats since I was 13, and I have been a foreman for almost 15 years now. My job is to make sure everything on the boat goes well. I supervise the loading, transit and off loading of the cargo. I am responsible for everything that goes in the hold or on the boat and I don't make mistakes." Antonie Robertson / The National
Engineer Razzak Karani, 27, from Gujarat, India, says he spends most of his time in the engine of the enormous ship. "I've been working on ships now for nine years, with six of that working as an engineer, and I like doing it a lot.” Antonie Robertson / The National
Engineer Razzak Karani, 27, from Gujarat, India, says he spends most of his time in the engine of the enormous ship. "I've been working on ships now for nine years, with six of that working as an engineer, and I like doing it a lot.” Antonie Robertson / The National
Cook Khalid Sindhi, 39, from Gujarat, India. "I've been a cook now for 17 years out of the 25 years I've been working on ships. It makes me happy to cook for my crew mates. I mainly cook rice and curries but sometimes also the fish that we catch while at sea." Antonie Robertson / The National
Cook Khalid Sindhi, 39, from Gujarat, India. "I've been a cook now for 17 years out of the 25 years I've been working on ships. It makes me happy to cook for my crew mates. I mainly cook rice and curries but sometimes also the fish that we catch while at sea." Antonie Robertson / The National
Engineer Rizwan Mumud Turk, 30, from Gujarat, India. "I was 14 when I started out as a sailor working on boats. I've been with this company for five years now and saw this dhow being built. During loading and unloading, I am responsible for operating the crane on board. During voyages, I'm one of the three engineers that take care of the two diesel engines that power the dhow." Antonie Robertson / The National
Engineer Rizwan Mumud Turk, 30, from Gujarat, India. "I was 14 when I started out as a sailor working on boats. I've been with this company for five years now and saw this dhow being built. During loading and unloading, I am responsible for operating the crane on board. During voyages, I'm one of the three engineers that take care of the two diesel engines that power the dhow." Antonie Robertson / The National
Captain Ali Mohammed, 40, from Gujarat, India. "I have been a sailor for 26 years now. I started very young, but I loved the life from as early as I can remember. Now that I have been a captain for the last 18 years I am happy to be on board the world's biggest dhow. I see this ship like one of my children." Antonie Robertson / The National
Captain Ali Mohammed, 40, from Gujarat, India. "I have been a sailor for 26 years now. I started very young, but I loved the life from as early as I can remember. Now that I have been a captain for the last 18 years I am happy to be on board the world's biggest dhow. I see this ship like one of my children." Antonie Robertson / The National
Deck hand Jakir Mohhamad Dosa, 20, from Gujarat, India. "This was my first time on a ship. I came from India to work and have an adventure. The first trip we did to Yemen was a big experience for me. I'll never forget it." Antonie Robertson / The National
Deck hand Jakir Mohhamad Dosa, 20, from Gujarat, India. "This was my first time on a ship. I came from India to work and have an adventure. The first trip we did to Yemen was a big experience for me. I'll never forget it." Antonie Robertson / The National

Environment

The men operating the world's largest dhow

The enormous Obaid, a 20m wide and 11m high vessel, holds the record for the largest wooden Arabic dhow in the world

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

February 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

It takes a sizeable workforce to operate the world’s largest dhow.

The Obaid, measuring 91 metres in length and 20 metres in width, was hand-built on Dubai Creek.

It has a crew of 16, including a captain, two chefs, a foreman and 12 workers.

Each staff member works in shifts of six hours to ensure it remains manned around the clock.

When they are not working, the men spend most of their time sleeping to recoup for the next shift.

The second deck features their personal quarters – a spacious room with individual beds positioned around the walls.

Indian worker, Jakir Husen, 20 told The National: "We each have our own section, which consists of a bed with two cupboards below."

“I’ve been on the boat for 14 months now and this is my first job and first time living away from India.

“When I saw the size of the dhow for the first time, my breath went straight out from me.”

The 11-metre-high vessel is currently docked in Dubai, where it dwarfs vessels around it.

The Obaid, was made using 1,700 tonnes of African teak wood and 800 tonnes of steel.

Guinness World Records formally recognised it as the largest wooden Arabic dhow in the world in October.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

ICC T20 Rankings

1. India - 270 ranking points

 

2. England - 265 points

 

3. Pakistan - 261 points

 

4. South Africa - 253 points

 

5. Australia - 251 points 

 

6. New Zealand - 250 points

 

7. West Indies - 240 points

 

8. Bangladesh - 233 points

 

9. Sri Lanka - 230 points

 

10. Afghanistan - 226 points

 
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