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 on the former B&Q.
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.