Pete’s Adventures in Salalah Part 10 the finale

What’s been happening in the last week of May.

 

I have been preparing the Fai Tira for shipping and actually loading her.  Yes! all the boats are now loaded and ready to head off to their destination.  The loading took a couple of days longer than forecast but the loadmaster and crew were so careful with our treasured possessions,  (boats) that they were all loaded safely, the only damage was to a couple of wind instruments on the top of the masts. (not on Fai Tira)

 

 

I had been given a new BWR flag by Tony one of the organizers back in Cochin.  As we had sent such a lot of time here in Salalah and particularly the Oasis  club I thought it would be appropriate to present them with the flag signed by all twenty crews to add to the many other flags hanging from the ceiling.  As you can see it says the “The Last BWR” this is because the company that organized the rally has now been dissolved.  So it was lucky for John and myself to choose the 2009-11 rally or we would have probably not been able to “live our dream” other than go independent.  The possibility of completing a circumnavigation via the two canals in the future will not be possible until the world governments stem or stop piracy in the Indian Ocean. The only alternative to sail around the world, would be to transit via South Africa.

 

The Last Supper

 

The Oasis club organized a farewell BBQ for us. All the crews still in the Salalah turned up as well as a few friends we had met during our stay which included Tony and Mark from the RAFO.

 

Here is me and Chrissie cuddling up together, whilst Mark and Allden were doing the same!!!!!!  Note the sweat marks.

 

Brian was falling asleep listening to the sounds of his beer swilling around pretending it was the ocean.

 

The Ship Arrives

 

The day came when the ship docked.  A few of us rushed around to watch.  I later met with her skipper, a massive Ukrainian man called Igor. He was Jolly most of the time but did have his fits of temper when things were quiet going to plan.  One of these was went I took him around to see our boats in the harbour and he discovered they were NOT power boats but Sailing boats with MASTS.  Yet another miss communication by Dockwise? 

Please note I have not named the ship or date of departure because of security reasons.

 

Fai Tira first to load.

 

Fai Tira was to be the first boat loaded.  We were told to be at the side of the ship for 7am.  I got my crew to arrive on FT at 6am.  I had Larry and Allden helping me and after raising the anchor we proceeded around to the ship.  We were there five minutes early and decided to tie up alongside as there was no sign of life on board.  BIG mistake as the harbour was quite busy and the swell produced by the massive ships and tugs moving about meant we had to hold FT away from the side of the ship to stop the mast crashing against the ships side as we rocked violently. I decided to move FT a way and standoff.

Eventually the Igor the skipper came on the radio and started asking questions about the height of our mast.  It transpired that Igor had completed the loading plan based on power boats as stated before, and he had FT down to be stored under the crane. 

We he was from the U Crane after all (joke). 

He said I had to take the mast down.  NO WAY I said so we went into negotiation with him and eventually decided to load Jackabel in FT’s spot and FT to take their position.   Stress Stress Stress!!.  So we returned to the anchorage and slept.

 

So the next four days saw all twenty boats being loaded on the ship.

The first boat to be loaded was Bali Blue followed by Blue Magic.  Here is Larry and myself on the ship after loading Jackabel.

 

Here is Blue Magic being lifted a 55ft Discovery owned by Mark and Chrisie

 

 

One of the smallest boats on the rally is Aspen an Island Packet owned by Steve and Maria from Aspen Colorado. Here she is dwarfed by a 65ft Oyster owned by Pete and Virginia.

Sol Maria one of the remaining two cats on the rally were loaded late on the second day.

 

Then it was Fai Tira’s turn.

Her long keel made it different to load from all the others. The strops are the same length and as you can see this meant FT was nose down when lifted.

 

 

Do I look worried?????

 

FT nearly down on deck.  The ship’s crew and load master Roy did a fantastic job.

 

We had a Rib in support of the loading driven by Brian and later by myself.  We helped with the manoeuvring of the boats and recovered the crews after lifting.  Here is Ian watching Lucy Alice being lifted. He doesn’t look worried.  Ian thanks for letting me stay on Lucy Alice overnight and a great breakfast.

 

Here is Larry helping with Angel V one of the last boats to be loaded.  Eventually all the boats were on board and strapped down. 

After three months of being stuck in Oman the end was in sight so we could now head off to the Hilton Hotel and book our flights.

 

Only a few of us left at the end.  A small group of those decided to have one last meal and drink at the Oasis.  They presented us with a small gift to commemorate our stay.

Sorry about the poor picture quality.

Thanks to all the Oasis staff.

 

 

We returned via the ship and stowed our contraband on Larry’s boat hoping he would get arrested when we get to our destination.

 

I am sitting in an air conditioned hotel room, guest of Larry with whom is spent the night (thanks mate) and refecting on the last three months. Quite an emotional feeling.

I head off tonight for Muskat, on the overnight bus with David and Susan, and then fly onto our destination tomorrow the 1^st of June 2011.

 

Bye for now and thanks to all the Omani people who have put up with us for so long.

 

Pete