It takes a sizeable workforce to operate the world’s largest dhow.
The Obaid, measuring 91 metres in length and 20 metres in width, was hand-built on Dubai Creek.
It has a crew of 16, including a captain, two chefs, a foreman and 12 workers.
Each staff member works in shifts of six hours to ensure it remains manned around the clock.
When they are not working, the men spend most of their time sleeping to recoup for the next shift.
The second deck features their personal quarters – a spacious room with individual beds positioned around the walls.
Indian worker, Jakir Husen, 20 told The National: "We each have our own section, which consists of a bed with two cupboards below."
“I’ve been on the boat for 14 months now and this is my first job and first time living away from India.
“When I saw the size of the dhow for the first time, my breath went straight out from me.”
The 11-metre-high vessel is currently docked in Dubai, where it dwarfs vessels around it.
The Obaid, was made using 1,700 tonnes of African teak wood and 800 tonnes of steel.
Guinness World Records formally recognised it as the largest wooden Arabic dhow in the world in October.
