Al Munassir (L1)

Al Munassir was an amphibious warfare vessel operated by the Royal Navy of Oman. It was purchased to enable the kingdom to respond to threats to the strategically important Musandam Governorate. The vessel was launched in 1978 and, after decommissioning, was sunk as an artificial reef in 2003. It is now a popular diving site.

Remains of an Oerlikon gun mount on the sunken Al Munassir
History
Oman
Name: Al Munassir
Builder: Brooke Marine, Lowestoft
Laid down: 4 July 1977
Launched: 25 July 1978
Commissioned: 31 January 1979
Status: Sunk as an artificial reef 22 April 2003
General characteristics
Type: Amphibious warfare ship
Displacement: 2,169 t (2,135 long tons; 2,391 short tons) (full)
Length: 84.1 m (276 ft)
Beam: 14.9 m (49 ft)
Draft: 2.3 m (7.5 ft)
Propulsion: Two Mirrlees Blackstone ES L8MGR diesel engines, 2,440 bhp (1,820 kW), two shafts
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)
Range: 4,400 nautical miles (8,100 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement: 9 officers, 36 ratings
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Decca TM 1229 navigational radar
  • Kelvin Hughes MS 45 echo sounder
  • Reifon Omega navigator
  • Ericsson laser rangefinder
  • LSE optical rangefinder
Armament:
Aviation facilities: Deck for 1 helicopter up to a Westland Sea King

Design

Al Munassir was ordered in 1977 from Brooke Marine by the government of Oman and laid down on 4 July that year.[1] The vessel was designed to transport up to 550 tonnes (540 long tons; 610 short tons) of cargo or 8 main battle tanks along with 188 fully equipped troops which would disembark from bow doors and a ramp.[2] The vessel was 84.1 m (276 ft) long overall, with a beam of 14.9 m (49 ft) and a draught of 2.3 m (7.5 ft) with a displacement of 2,169 tonnes (2,135 long tons; 2,391 short tons).[1] Power was provided by Two Mirrlees Blackstone ES L8MGR diesel engines rated at 2,440 bhp (1,820 kW) driving two shafts, to give a design speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).[2] Range at that speed was 4,400 nautical miles (8,100 km; 5,100 mi).[3] A complement of forty five, including nine officers, was carried.[2]

Fire support was to be provided by a single OTO Melara 76 mm gun mounted on forward and a pair of Oerlikon 20 mm cannon mounted midships, while a helipad aft could accommodate a helicopter up to the size of a Westland Sea King.[3] In addition to an Ericsson laser and LSE optical rangefinders, the vessel was equipped with a Decca TM 1229 navigational radar and Reifon Omega navigator, a Kelvin Hughes MS 45 echo sounder.[1]

Service

Laid down on 4 July 1977, launched on 25 July 1978 and commissioned on 31 January 1979, Al Munassir served as an amphibious operation and logistics vessel for the Omani fleet.[4] The principal purpose for the vessel was to support the Musandam Governorate in the Strait of Hormuz.[5] This area, which is strategically important for the transportation of crude oil, has no land border with the rest of Oman. In the event of a crisis, the vessel, supported by smaller vessels including, from 1985, Nasr al Bahr, was to be used to transport troops and equipment northwards.[5] The vessel was placed in reserve in the mid 1990s and subsequently retired to become a harbour training ship at the end of the twentieth century.[6]

Fate

Al Munassir was sunk as an artificial reef on 22 April 2003 and is now a popular diving destination.[7] The wreck is off the coast of Muscat at 23°31′02″N 58°45′28″E at a depth between 10 and 30 metres (33 and 98 ft). It is now a refuge for wildlife, including the Bigeye snapper, Bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Indo-Pacific sergeant, Moon wrasse, Pennant coralfish, Ring-tailed cardinalfish, Yellowbar Angelfish and Yellowfin goatfish.[8]

See also

References
  1. Cowin, Hugh W. (1983). Warships. London: Frederick Warne. p. 171. ISBN 0-7232-1639-8.
  2. Sharpe, Richard (1994). Jane's Fighting Ships, 1994–95. Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 471. ISBN 0-7106-1161-7.
  3. Cowin, Hugh W. (1986). Conway's Directory of Modern Naval Power 1986. London: Conway Maritime. p. 170. ISBN 0-85177-362-1.
  4. Couhat, Jean Labayle (1980). Combat Fleets of the World. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 398. ISBN 0-87021-123-4.
  5. Sczepanski, Erich (2005). "Arabische Halbinsel — Oman". Global Defence (in German). Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. Wertheim, Eric (2005). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press. p. 526. ISBN 1-59114-934-7.
  7. Darke, Diana; Walsh, Tony (2017). Oman. Chalfont St Peter: Bradt. p. 99. ISBN 1-78477-020-5.
  8. "Geographic Zone Report". Reef Environmental Education Foundation. 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
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