A Nakhuda was the captain of a pearling boat sailing in the Persian Gulf, typically from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (then the Trucial States).
Arabian Pearling vessels would typically take to sea with the Nakhuda, assistant Mijadimi, a singer Nahham, some eight divers Ghais, and ten haulers Saib.
[1][2] The vessels ranged from the relatively small Banoosh to the 100-foot Jalboot, a corruption of the English term jollyboat.
[5] In the early 20th century, Lorimer recorded 1200 boats involved in the trade across the Trucial States, each carrying an average crew of 18.
[5] The nakhuda was responsible for selecting dive locations and for selling the catch, but the date of sailing to the oyster banks and the duration of the voyage would be set by the admiral of each port's pearling fleet.