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CNN World Report

World's Largest Wooden Ship Unveiled in Kuwait

Aired July 08, 2001 - 14:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: Kuwait has set a new world record, hoping to ship its tourism in shape. The Persian Gulf nation now holds the Guinness Record for the world's largest wooden ship.

ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Inspired by Noah's ark, the massive ship took 16 years to build. Kuwait Television has more on what was truly a labor of love.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NAJWA ASSRAN, KUWAIT TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the dream of his life. He comes from a family of sea merchants. His love for the sea is unsurpassed. He wanted to leave behind a monumental legacy to immortalize his infatuation.

His monument today entered the Guinness world book of records as the biggest wooden ship.

More than a century ago, his great grandfather built a model, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and named it El Hashini (ph). Today, he built his own, a larger than life gigantic 2500 tons, Noah's ark. He acknowledges the sea as a role of sea and culture and heritage of Kuwait.

This 83.7 meter long, 18.5 meter wide bow is berthed on 6,000 square meter of land reclaimed from the sea. Time and tide wait for no man. During the construction of the foundation, workers had to find time between tides as work could be accomplished only during up tides.

Construction work began in 1985. But a lot of research was needed. No one has built such a ship with gigantic dimensions before; no designs were available. He was treading on unknown ground, comparing himself with Noah when he began building his Ark. But was the Ark that big? He was not alone.

His longtime friend, Mr. (UNINTELLIGIBLE), an exceptionally experienced seaman, volunteered to assume the role of adviser and assisted his friend in selecting the best qualified craftsmen to realize his dream.

Today, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) hosts ceremonies and festivities. He does not look forward to making money from his dream. He only wishes to cover expenses for the maintenance. It cost more than $30 million to build, but to him it was worth every dime.

I am Najwa Assran for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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