Oman 3165

Because of recent events in the Middle East, Mark updates us on the Oman 3165 Expedition and why it has had to be paused until Winter 2027.Safely back in the UK there is still lots of work to be done though. One of those is to start analysing the enormous of data the expedition has already gathered. In this podcast Mark has headed over to the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St. Andrews to speak to Dr Gill Braulik about her research into marine acoustics studying the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. He has taken with him over 120 hours of audio recordings captured from the hydrophone he has being towing behind the Oman 3165 kayak.They talk about the advantages of travelling close into the shore by kayak can bring for a study like this and the expected field of range that Gill would be expecting to hear any marine mammals in the waters surrounding Mark and his Kayak.They are joined by Shalya Lyons who is doing a Masters degree in Animal Behaviour at the SMU and is studying the hydrophone recordings to create population distribution map of the dolphins along the coastline.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Meet Aisha Al-Balushi: activist, educator and environmental impact officer Asyad Container Terminal’s Environmental Officer Aisha Al-Balushi shares her passion for helping the shipping industry and other organisations to make more sustainable decisions and choices.Her passion for the environment was formed in childhood in Oman where she was lucky enough to grow up with a strong connection to nature and landscape, a connection which has helped shaped her expertise and now her career with Asyad Shipping.Mark joins Aisha in a café in Duqm, near where she works at the container port. She shares her vision for the importance of Duqm as a major hub for focussing on the environmental side of shipping. For Aisha the port at Duqm is perfectly placed to play a key role in developing a greener future for Oman.Aisha’s love and interest in the environment extends beyond her role at work, she’s also a climate activist, volunteering as a teacher, educator and facilitator with the NGO Climate Fresk.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Now the unseasonally bad weather has abated, Mark is back on the water again and continuing south west towards the port of Duqm which is about 3 days paddling away. He is joined on the expedition now by his old friend, and logistics wizard, Alan Morrissey.Alan joins Mark fresh from an expedition through the vast empty quarter and supporting Alice Morrison to be the world’s first walking explorer to cross Saudi Arabia from north to south.Alan has spent nearly 30 years in Arabia and is passionate about life and travel in the desert. He supports expeditions and people wanting to travel and explore the deserts of Arabia. Mark and Alan reflect on their previous Heart of Arabia expedition, his recent travels with Alice and their mutual love of Arabia while looking forward to the next stage of the Oman 3165 expedition.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Oman has been hit by unusually heavy rainfall and high winds so, while Mark waits patiently for the weather to allow him to pick up the journey where he left off at Bar Al Hikman, he takes the opportunity to catch up with Captain Khalil bin Ali Al Hooti, Vice President of Asyad Shipping. Captain Khalil shares his thoughts on Oman’s rich maritime heritage and how its location has helped to shape the country and its people. In particular, he talks about how the relationship to the ocean has shaped not just commerce but identity, turning Oman into a community which looks outward, where sharing and curiosity is woven through the culture. As a result, Omani people not only welcome the stories of others when they arrive on its shores but are inspired to continually expand their horizons through exploration by sea.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Having reached the south west corner of Bar Al Hikman, a site of international importance for migrating and wintering wading birds, Mark catches up once again with Jonathan Turner, CEO of Masirah Marine, a font of knowledge regarding anything to do with Oman’s marine environment and maritime heritage to find out more about what makes the area so unique.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

From the beautiful, but isolated salt flats of Bar al Hikman, sheltered from the seas by Masirah Island, Mark has reached the midway point of the expedition. After an amazing couple of days back in the kayak and 40 days since he started paddling, Mark has reached the halfway point of his journey along the coastline of Oman.Tim, Marks land-based support, has headed inland to circumnavigate the salt flats leaving Mark alone for a few days. Always the avid birdwatcher, Mark saw a huge flamboyance of flamingos on the salt flats along with thousands of other birds and moved in closer for a look. But Flamingos wade in very shallow water and the falling tide caught Mark out. But always one for an adventure within an adventure, Mark took advantage of the water drying out around him and explored the mangroves.As well as some of the wildlife he came across old wrecks, ruined shelters, a crashed aircraft and a haunting sight, hundreds of turtle shells. Eating turtles is forbidden in Oman today, but this was clearly a site of turtle hunting in years gone by.After the tide came in Mark refloated his kayak and kept on paddling for a few hours into the darkness to find somewhere camp. After 38 kms paddling today he is elated and well rested at the halfway point of the expedition.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

The coastal waters Mark is paddling through are blooming into life. The upwelling cooler water is bringing with it nutrients from the deep, providing the fuel for the phytoplankton soup that plays such pivotal role in the food chain of the marine ecosystem. This phytoplankton bloom has given Mark a wonderful sight, bioluminescence has been lighting up the water as every waves crashes onto the shore of his night time campsite. He is camping on the edge of the Sharqiya Sands. Formerly known as the Wahiba Sands, it is one of only 3 fog deserts in the world and an incredibly rare, isolated sand sea ecosystem, making it an ideal living laboratory.In this podcast, join Mark in conversation with long-time friend of Oman, the inspirational Nigel Winser. In the mid-1980s, as deputy director of The Royal Geographical Society in London Nigel led The Wahiba Sands Project, a multiyear multidisciplinary study of this unique environment.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

As Mark launches into the next stage of the Oman 3165 Expedition he drops into see marine ecologist Andy Willson in Muscat. Andy set up Future seas, an Oman based marine research and conservation company and has been a huge supporter of the expedition.During the expedition pause, Andy has been servicing the hydrophone and setting up the analysis of the recordings Mark has been gathering each day.In this fascinating conversation, Andy gives Mark a preview of the marine habitats he will be passing through and an insight into the oceanography that makes this section of the Omani coastline so special.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Mark is finally back on the water after two days stormbound on land. Today’s leg starts near one of Oman’s stunning pink lakes, just south of Al Ashkharah and took Mark south along the coast to Ras Jibsh.Landing at Ras Jibsh Mark reflects at the joy of being back on the water again, especially as this was the final paddling day of Leg 1 of Oman 3165. So Mark takes a moment to reflect back on the last 36 days of the expedition. So far they have collected 6 eDNA samples, gathered over 120 hours of underwater acoustic recordings, captured hundreds of 360 images on land and on sea, while every couple of days Mark has been having online conversations with school children around the world and in Oman.Go and check out the expedition Story Arc on the website to see more of the Omani coastline and learn about the expedition. Leg 2 of Oman 3165 starts in early January when Mark takes to the water again to head south towards the border with Yemen.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

With weather forcing a pause in Mark’s time on the water, he takes the opportunity to share a recent conversation with Essam Al Sheibany, Vice President of Sustainability at Asyad group, the Oman 3165 Expedition partner.  Operating one of the world’s largest and most diversified fleets, serving over 60 countries, Asyad Shipping takes its responsibility to develop a more sustainable way of shipping extremely seriously.  Essam Al Sheibany shares how the group are looking towards the future and the innovations which they hope will both contribute to net zero omissions while supporting Oman’s continued growth.  You can view the latest Asyad Sustainability Report hereDiscover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Jonathan Turner runs an Oman based commercial diving company, Masirah International. Originally from Scotland, Jonathan is as passionate about Oman and its maritime environment as Mark. Jonathan describes some of the marine wildlife highlights Mark should expect to see, but also how he has observed the amount of marine change in the years he has been under the water in Oman.Looking into the future of the shipping industry in Oman, Jonathan explains about a new green ship breaking facility that is being developed to reduce the impact of the global ship breaking industry.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

From the gardens of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan hotel in Muscat, Mark explores how Oman is not just creating a sustainable relationship with its seas but promoting a sustainable tourism industry that brings tourists to enjoy the coastal waters of Oman.It’s part of a fully circular approach to sustainability and the Oman Vision 2040.In the gardens, Talal Al Hashmi, Head of Operations and Acting General Manager of the Al Bustan Hotel introduces Mark to the hotel and its grounds. Ester Kamal, Marketing Director describes some of the traditional and emerging tourism markets and how they find the balance for sustainable tourism in the face of the global tourism industry. Director of Engineering, Shan Sirajudeen explains some of the reuse and recycling process they have built, for things like water conversation. While Sustainability Champion, Ella Jureczek describes how the hotel forms a community relationship with local foodbanks and encourages the hotel guests to join them in initiatives like gardening experiences and beach cleans.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Through the different educational partners of the Oman 3165 Expedition, Mark has already spoken online to thousands of school children around the world. He has visited several schools in Oman, giving talks, showing the expedition kit to children and inspiring them about the possibilities for a more sustainable relationship with their oceans.But getting the Oman 3165 message across to local school children is only possible because of the support and collaboration of the local teachers. So this podcast is all about some of the inspirational teachers in Oman who have embraced Mark and the expedition into their classrooms.The first teacher we hear from is Zoe Woolley, Executive Principal of Knowledge Gate International School, followed by Tamsin Murchie, a primary teacher at the British School Muscat and finally, Joe Fraser, Mr. Joe, a geography teacher at the Knowledge Gate International School also in Muscat.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

On Day 22 of the Oman 3165 Expedition Mark updates us from just east of Muscat. He has spent the last few days paddling past Oman’s capital, a long thin city, edged by the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. The landscape has changed from the flat sandy beaches to the west of Muscat to now rocky sea caves and arches that Mark has been able to paddle into and explore.Since the last podcast update the team have continued to receive great welcomes as they came ashore each afternoon. One of those was from Oman Sail and in the second part of this podcast Mark talks to Debbie Richardson from Oman Sail about the role they play in supporting young Omani’s through sailing to learn a wider range of leadership, sustainability and teamwork skills they can apply on and off the water.Alongside Oman’s Sustainability Week, Mark learns about the Precious Plastic Muscat project run by Oman Sail.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Salah Al Jabri is an ambassador for Oman Sail, he served 26 years in the Royal Navy of Oman and in 2010 captained the voyage of the restored Arabian dhow, Jewel of Muscat from Muscat to Singapore.Salah is a man of the sea and is joining Mark for 4 days paddling on the Oman 3165 Expedition. At the end of day 2 they sit down together on dry land under a tree and talk about Salah’s life on the ocean. They discuss the challenges of leadership, seamanship and the weather that the Jewel of Muscat voyage presented to Salah. Both Mark and Salah compare and contrast the transition back to life ashore or at the end of expeditions and look positively to the future about how they can inspire the next generation of young Omani seafarers with a museum that celebrates Oman’s rich maritime heritage Watch the story of the Jewel of MuscatDiscover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

On Day 16 of the Oman 3165 Expedition the team are having a rest day.Whilst Nigel and Anna Maria are in schools talking to students about Oman 3165, Mark is out and about meeting people whose lives are intertwined with the ocean here in Oman. In this podcast he meets the remarkable Reem Askalan, who over a period of 5 years has explored every nook and cranny of Oman’s coastline documenting safe anchorages for intrepid sailors who want to explore the waters of Oman.Reem’s book is due out early in 2026, so keep an eye out!Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

From the Tolkien like landscapes of Limah, Mark and Mohamed have continued south, paddling into sea caves and exploring beach landing sites. Both were struck by the simple structures used to store water for the local goats, but also the birdlife these watering holes attracted. A kingfisher joined them followed by a small flock of sand grouse.After crossing the border out of Oman and into the UAE and back into Oman again, the landscape has changed into flat fertile coastal plains. The coastline is now sandy and smooth, heavily populated with strings of forts and mosques lining the shore.The team pass the port of Sohar, one of the largest in Oman and the alleged birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor. But local curiosity and hospitality mean they have had to abandon their beach campsites and find isolated campsites inland so they can rest and connect, undisturbed, with the educational groups around the world who are following the expedition.Mohamed has gone back to his day job at Outward Bound Oman, so Mark is paddling solo at 6.5 km/h, he has had his first encounter with turtles and the highly venomous sea snakes.The weather has enable Mark to make great progress, Muscat is only 5 days over the horizon and his wrist is getting stronger by the day.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

It’s the end of Day 4 of the Oman 3165 Expedition. Mark and Mohamed have landed at Limah for an overnight rest. The first few legs of the expedition have taken them north, rounding the northern most tip of Oman jutting out into the Srait of Hormuz before turning south again.Because of the remoteness of this part of the expedition, the team have been paddling unsupported and landing on beaches for rest and shelter. They have been joined by turtles and sea snakes, watched ospreys soar and encountered typical warm Omani hospitality when they have crossed paths with the occasional fisherman on the shore. Through the narrow strait, navigation and tidal planning has been vital; not only so they can seek shelter from the sun during the heat of the day, but as Mark and Mohamed entered the lion’s jaw they had to avoid being chewed up and spat back out.A quick resupply in Kumzar has been their only real human connection before being met on the shore at Limah by Nigel and Ana-Maria.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Welcome to the start of The Oman 3165 Expedition. The team are all in Al Khasab making final preparation for Mark and his kayak to hit the water in just under a day.They have been afloat to test the cameras and microphones. They have packed and repacked the kayaks so Mark can be self-supported for the first few days of the expedition.So here’s an opportunity to meet the expedition team, hear about their backgrounds, their roles, their love of the Omani coastline and what they are looking forward to over the course of the expedition.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

“Oman 3165 is going to be a huge opportunity for classrooms to really smash their walls and explore outside their school”  The Oman 3165 expedition is going to reach school children and university students around the world, helping them learn about our Ocean, our Opportunity and our Obligation. Young minds today are the ones who have the tools and knowledge to create a more sustainable relationship with our oceans.Oman 3165 is collaborating with educational organisations and platforms around the world, using modern communications technology to connect young people directly to Mark for campfire conversations and bringing him into online lessons across the planet.  In this podcast find out about collaborations with Ocean Generation, Exploring by the seat of your pants, The Royal Geographical Society, The Scottish Association for Marine Science and Durham University’s Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and learn how you can bring the expedition into your classroom.Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous AudioSandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence