preceded by a shorter, 40-day season known as 'the cold dive' as the Spring Gulf waters would be cool at the time) and would take responsibility for co-ordinating efforts to help any boat in trouble. He would also lead the return voyage. Trade Visiting the pearl banks during the season, the pearl dealers, tawwash, would buy the bulk catch from the nakhuda, sorting the pearls using grading pans. Nakhudas would seek individual sales for larger or outstanding pearls, taking them to a pearl trader, or tajir. Typically, nakhudas financed their voyages, although some were financed by merchants and obligated to yield their catch in return for a share in proceeds. See also Nakhoda Mosque Nakhoda Manis Nakhoda Ragam References History of the United Arab Emirates Pearls