MUSCAT: The Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Shabab Oman II set sail from the Said Bin Sultan Naval Base heading to the European continent in her sixth international voyage titled Oman, Land of Peace, on Monday.
A formal farewell ceremony was held on Monday morning under the auspices of Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, at the Said Bin Sultan Naval Base.
The ship carries with her ancient Omani history and bright present-time accomplishments and embodies Oman’s everlasting approach of extending bridges of peace, love and fraternity among nations.
The ceremony began with the military salute to the chief guest who inspected the front row of the guard of honour. Then, the captain of the ship invited the chief guest and the attendees to board the ship where the chief guest met with the ship’s crew and listened to a briefing about the ship, her voyage and the national objectives set for the voyage.
The chief guest and the attendees were briefed on the ship’s facilities, sections and equipment which enable the ship to efficiently carry out her mission.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, commanders and senior officers of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and other military and security services, ambassadors of friendly countries and a crowd of invitees.
Shabab Oman II’s global voyage will see her sailing over 15,000 nautical miles back and forth in six months and 12 days.
During her sixth international voyage, Shabab Oman II will visit 30 ports in 18 countries and will take part in the Kiel Sailing Festival which will take place in the Federal Republic of Germany. The ship will also take part in the Tall Ships Races in Denmark, Belgium and Netherlands in addition to a number of international festivals and celebrations.
Apart from the crew, the ship is carrying 35 trainees from the Sultan’s Armed Forces and the Directorate-General of Scouts and Guides who will undergo a training programme.
The ship seeks to extend bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the Sultanate of Oman and world countries by introducing the genuine Omani culture and heritage at her global stopovers as well as introducing Oman’s glorious maritime history and the ancient Omani sea legacy and the progress the Sultanate of Oman is making under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Supreme Commander.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chief guest Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, said: “I have been honoured this morning by joining the Royal Navy of Oman’s celebration of the departure of Shabab Oman II to the European continent. This is an opportune chance to voice due commendation to the ship’s current and previous voyages and her significant role in highlighting Oman’s glorious maritime history and enlightening the world about the path of the blessed and renewed renaissance that is taking place in all sectors in Oman under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Supreme Commander. Shabab Oman also deserves praise for her role in highlighting the Omani civilisation and tourism and spreading the message of peace and harmony among peoples. We pray for the success of Shabab Oman II in her new international voyage and we hope that the ship will meet with success in delivering this message.”
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