The men operating the world's largest dhow

The enormous Obaid, a 20m wide and 11m high vessel, holds the record for the largest wooden Arabic dhow in the world

Ship Foreman Noor Mohamed, 38, from Gujarat, India. "I been working on boats since I was 13, and I have been a foreman for almost 15 years now. My job is to make sure everything on the boat goes well. I supervise the loading, transit and off loading of the cargo. I am responsible for everything that goes in the hold or on the boat and I don't make mistakes." Antonie Robertson / The National

Engineer Razzak Karani, 27, from Gujarat, India, says he spends most of his time in the engine of the enormous ship. "I've been working on ships now for nine years, with six of that working as an engineer, and I like doing it a lot.” Antonie Robertson / The National

Cook Khalid Sindhi, 39, from Gujarat, India. "I've been a cook now for 17 years out of the 25 years I've been working on ships. It makes me happy to cook for my crew mates. I mainly cook rice and curries but sometimes also the fish that we catch while at sea." Antonie Robertson / The National

Engineer Rizwan Mumud Turk, 30, from Gujarat, India. "I was 14 when I started out as a sailor working on boats. I've been with this company for five years now and saw this dhow being built. During loading and unloading, I am responsible for operating the crane on board. During voyages, I'm one of the three engineers that take care of the two diesel engines that power the dhow." Antonie Robertson / The National

Captain Ali Mohammed, 40, from Gujarat, India. "I have been a sailor for 26 years now. I started very young, but I loved the life from as early as I can remember. Now that I have been a captain for the last 18 years I am happy to be on board the world's biggest dhow. I see this ship like one of my children." Antonie Robertson / The National

Deck hand Jakir Mohhamad Dosa, 20, from Gujarat, India. "This was my first time on a ship. I came from India to work and have an adventure. The first trip we did to Yemen was a big experience for me. I'll never forget it." Antonie Robertson / The National

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.