Prince of Sea 3.68

The luxurious “Prince of Sea” yacht with its two mast-sailing motor will take you to a jorney following the steps of Ahmed bin Majid-one of the greatest navigators of all times, who born in Ras Al Khaimah and revolutionized navigation by numerous inventions and innovations. Prince of sea invites you to explore the beauty of the Arabian Sea and spend an unforgettable holiday experience. Story of Prince Of Sea
Technology has changed tremendously since the times of the great voyagers and explorers but what has not and will never change is the fact that man cannot control the weather conditions or the dangers of piracy. You can be experienced, prepared with all might but the best rule to know is that: a trip never goes as planned.

It was year 1498, when a strange large Portugese ship made it around Africa’s Cape Horn, carrying the famous Vasco da Gama (the first European to reach India through sea, where he sailed and found the Indian harbour of Calcutta claiming all the fame, however this could only be done by the aid of the navigational skills of Ibn Majid (Arab navigator who piloted Vasco da Gama and thus deserving the title PRINCE OF SEA).

Now in the year of 2012, it was Ashraf Luxor’s challenge to bring our times PRINCE OF SEA, a Turkish Gullet, to her new home, a stretch of 4,641 nautical miles from Fetyie, Turkey to Ras al Kheima, Emirates.

Ashraf Luxor is the co-founder of SUN’N FUN, Sharm el Sheikh, one of the biggest water sport companies in Egypt. He himself and his brother have earned many medals to Egypt in sailing
and windsurfing. His father and grandfather have made a big part of Egyptian sailing history. For decades Ashraf has brought his boats to their home in Sinai from Jordan or through the Suez Canal from Alexandria, Lebanon and Turkey. He has recently started to establish Emirate SUN’N FUN and this is where the whole story of the new PRINCE OF SEA begins....

Fetyie – Marmaris (Turkey) – Rhodos
Yas Island Abu Dhabi (Greece) 360 nautical miles.

Log Day 1, 28th September 28th 2012

Sailing from Fetyie at dawn in very pleasant sea conditions. We were sent off by the ex owner and ex crew as well as Kamil Bay, the representative of the Mayor. It was a festive gathering though sad for the ex crew as they waved farewell to their beloved (Kayhan 12, the former name of PRINCE OF SEA) as she has been their home for the past ten years, now heading for a new home with new crew and new flag. I had spent a month in Turkey prior to departure, purely due to paper work, which should not have taken a week. Today we cruised by some of the most beautiful bays of the eastern part of Turkey.

Log Day 2, 29th September 2012

The historical island of Rhodos met us with a friendly welcome, lots of tourists and the famous castle at the entrance of the harbour.

Port Said - Suez Canal - Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) 420 nautical miles.

Log Day 5, 2nd October 2012

Several times I have been passing the Suez Canal but this time was very special and for a reason no one can guess…. As I was reading a biography of Nubar Pasha telling his story of how the idea came to reality of digging this canal, in the times of Khedive, it makes me feel so proud and appreciate it even more.

Log Day 7, 4th October 2012.

Change of Crew, getting supplies, water and fuel.

Ashraf Luxor (Captain)

Sameh Mohamed Abdul-Aziz (Skipper)

Galal Mohamed Abdul-Aziz (1st Mate)

Mohamed Hussein Gouda (Mechanic)

Mahmoud Mohamed Abo Gabal (Deck Hand)

Tamer Mohamed Ali el Sayed (Deck Hand)

Sharm el Sheikh - Hurghada - Hostelería, Bares y Restaurantes de Lloret de Marsa
Alam (Egypt) 180 nautical miles

Log Day 29, 26th October 2012

Perfect crossing, a good night’s sleep and a spectacular scenery sailing near the last kilometers of the South Egyptian coast. I am enjoying the new contrast of desert and sea, while in my head is the advice of my dad who have sailed this area in the
late 60’s during his service in the Egyptian navy.

Port Sudan (Sudan) 440 nautical miles
Log Day 33, 30th October 2012

We assured that we had new supplies of everything needed in order to get us through the most feared Pirate Zone without having to seek harbour. 1 hour upon take off from Port Sudan we faced engine problems that forced us to return. With no workshops and no spare parts I had to depend on my mechanic....engine needs urgently a spare part. Port Sudan is in the middle of nowhere, it is the feast and no hope of finding what we need. I ordered my man to fly out with the item from Egypt, so all we can do is to wait, we are already being impatiently awaited in the Emirates. It took us 5 days to be able to sail again but I used this time to explore the area and rent a pick up. I met with a very strange tribe called “Hadandan”.

Hunish Al Kobra - Mokha Port - Straits of
Aden (Yemen) a total of 1,660 miles from Sharm

Log Day 41, 7th November 2012

Now we are in it; The Pirate Zone, I have been reading statistics on my ipad over and over again for the past month, convincing myself that piracy is not so frequent any more. I have to show the crew confidence, but in reality I know that our only hope is that our “small wooden boat” will not appear on any radars. All I know is that the less time we spend here the better.

Log Day 45, 11th November 2012

A strong storm has been raging for 3 days now. The only method of communication with the outside world in order to get a weather forecast is through Al Thorya satellite phone and only twice a day, but I have to say that I used the time on this island to kite surf and make some of the most amazing dives as well as meeting with the soldiers protecting this island.

Mokha Port, Log Day 48, 14th November 2012.

Due to the storm and the unexpected delay and usage of diesel, we had to sail to this very strange middle age port in what is called the ‘High Risk Zone’. I tried to stay as few hours as possible, not to expose the boat, but I would not miss the chance to visit its ruins and inhabitants so lazy because of their chewing the ghat plant habit. However what many people do not know, even coffee lovers, is that this Mokha is where mocca coffee originally comes from.

Salalah Port - Muscat (Oman) Log Paesaggi da Sognoy 54, 20th November 2012

How can I express the kindness and hospitality of the Omani people. The beaches of Salalah are among the most virgin I have encountered in all my travels. Also it was a great relief to have finally reached the end of the pirate zone which enabled me to explore those beaches.

Al Fujirah - Ras Al Khaimah (U.A.E) a total of 2201 miles from Straights of Aden

Log Day 60, 26th November 2012

The arrival to our final destination in al Jazira al Hamra was to be greeted by many people who have been awaiting with high anticipation this arrival of PRINCE OF SEA.

In the lead of them was Victor Louis the CEO of RAK tourism representing H.R.H Shiekh Saeoud Al Qassemy, the ruler of Ras al Khaimah.
Captain’s Conclusion Nine Seas and Oceans later (Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Straits of Aden, Bab al Mandab, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Straits of Hormoz and The Arabian Gulf) 60 days and nights later and a total of 4,641 Nautical Miles. Destination accomplished! End of Log until the
beginning of a new journey!