THE AL-MUNASSIR (LIMA ONE)
ON THE 21ST APRIL THE ROYAL NAVY OF OMAN SUCCESSFULLY SANK THE AL-MUNASSIR OFF OF THE COAST LINE IN THE BANDER KHYRAN AREA IN OMAN. DONATED TO OMAN BY THE ROYAL NAVY, THE AL-MUNASSIR WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE SUNK TO CREATE AN ARTIFICIAL REEF IN OMANI WATERS. BUILT BY BROOK MARINE (LOWESTOFT UK) AND COMMISSIONED IN JANUARY 1979, SHE HAS A DISPLACMENT OF 2991.5 TONS, IS 84.1 METRES LONG AND 14.9 METRES WIDE. THE AL-MUNASSIR WAS IN RESERVE SINCE EARLY 1987 WHEN SHE ASSUMED THE ROLE OF HARBOUR TRAINING SHIP AT SBSNB, WUDAM.
HAVING BEEN REFITTED MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS SHE WAS DECOMMISSIONED AND OFFERED BY THE ROYAL NAVY OF OMAN FOR THIS PROJECT. THE WRECK IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE. FROM THE UPPER DECK THERE ARE TWO VERTICAL LIFT SHAFTS DOWN TO THE LOWER DECK WHERE MOST OF THE ROOMS TO PORT AND STARBOARD ARE OPEN. THE BRIDGE, INCLUDING THE WHEEL HOUSE, OPS ROOM AND COMMUNICATIONS ROOM CAN ALSO BE EXPLORED. BECAUSE OF THE ABUNDANT MARINE LIFE IN OMAN WATERS THE AL-MUNASSIR WILL CREATE A SPECTACULAR ARTIFICIAL REEF WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE AND INITIATE AN INTERGATED MARINE ECO-SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE. A BIG THANKYOU AND RECOGNITION MUST GO THE ROYAL NAVY OF OMAN FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
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