MUSCAT: Five Omani sailors have embarked on a daring voyage across the Arabian Sea, joining French explorer Yan on a leg of his round-the-world journey that defies engines and modern shortcuts.
The crew, made up of Sultan al Balushi, Hassan, Mukhtar al Mukhtar, Faiz and Yan himself, set sail from Al Musannah, Oman, bound for Gwadar, Pakistan — a distance of 581 kilometres.
“This is our passion. We like sailing; we love it. We live by the sea; we live from the sea, and Oman has been known for sailing for centuries. We’re keeping this legacy alive and reminding the world that we are still sailors — and the new generation of sailors of Oman,” said sailing captain Sultan al Balushi.
Yan’s larger mission is nothing short of extraordinary. His quest takes him around the globe from South Africa to South America without the use of engines, relying only on natural means of movement — walking, cycling, kayaking, swimming, and, in this case, sailing.
The voyage is expected to take about three days, though much depends on the weather. “We are using this low pressure that’s happening now in Muscat and other parts of Oman, all the way until we reach the trade winds of the monsoon in the middle of the sea. If the low pressure pushes us up, we’ll go up with it. If it pushes us down, we’ll go down with it until we reach Gwadar,” Al Balushi explained.
Unlike many expeditions of this scale, the team is not backed by big sponsorships. Instead, they are relying on their own resources and the support of Finn Boat, a tourism company owned by one of the crew. “We’re doing this out of passion and love of nature and exploring,” Al Balushi said.
For Oman, this journey is more than just an adventure at sea. It is a living testament to the country’s enduring maritime heritage — a reminder that the same winds that once carried Omani sailors across oceans still guide a new generation, eager to carry forward a centuries-old tradition of courage and exploration.
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