Slap, Rock and Shake
7th Feb 2010
9:30 gmt
Lat: 21.58.0
Long: 63.08.1
By Mark Covell on board media crew, Majan, Oman Sail

The camera boats and helicopter turned for home, eager to deliver their footage back to TV and media networks waiting a shore. Our support team together with well-wishers and family buzzed around us in small ribs. We had crossed the line off Muscat, and were making good speed down the coast of Oman. Soon they had all waved their last wave and turned for home. The moment felt strange to be saying goodbye to our friends and Oman.  We were approaching Cape Ras Al Hadd*, the most easterly point of Oman. It’s a very special place for Omanis, because this is the point where the sun’s first rays touch land on rising. Not only a very special place for Moshin and Mohammed, but it’s the first Cape on our tour of the Indian Oceans. The land then drifted out of sight we knew we wouldn’t see Oman again until May. It was ironic that just as our supporters disappeared, as small dots on the horizon, the wind chose to vanish as well!  The sky was heavy with nervous dark clouds that looked like they could heave down a disgruntled breath at any time.

The wave formation was just as unhappy with the lack of discipline in the air. To quote our skipper, Paul Standbridge,  “The boat doesn’t like this sea state at all!”
Below decks, I was working hard to edit and send my first media off the boat. And I can tell you now, without any lack of face, “I too didn’t like the sea state, at all!!”.
Because of the cross-waves we couldn’t open any hatches below deck, so the temperature soared, inducing a very uncomfortable sweat for those off watch crew trying to sleep.

Over the next six hours we sailed under eight different sail combinations to cope with the wind’s fickle mood. We saw as much as 26 knots and as little as zero. When I came up on deck for my night watch I was surprised to see every one in full wet weather gear - having just an hour before been drenched by the high speed in a steep and confused sea way. Why is it in so many races and crossings the first night at sea, Mother Nature and King Neptune gang up and tries to catch you out?

This morning we’re blasting along at 20 knots, under light cloud, trying to get as far down the track as possible before the wind drops and the large sea state takes over to slap, rock and shake Majan - as if it was trying to provoke a fight.

* * *
* ROUTE NOTES: Cape Ras Al Hadd (1 hour, 49 minutes ago)
Geographical Coordinates: 22° 51’ N - 59° 76’ E

Literally meaning ‘the cape’ in Arabic, it is the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula.  Oman is very proud that this is the point where the suns first rays touch land on rising. Its location marks the dividing point between the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is an unspoilt part of the world and one of the largest nesting sites for endangered Green turtles, with over 20,000 females returning annually to lay their eggs. The waters around this area are popular for snorkelling, diving and fishing as it marks the convergence point of many currents resulting in an abundance of sea life. For the Omani crews on board both Majan and Musandam this was their last sight of home until their return journey up the Arabian Sea.