HMAS Otama facts for kids
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|} HMAS Otama (SS 62/SSG 62) was a special type of submarine called an Oberon-class submarine. It was part of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built in Scotland, Otama was the last submarine of its kind to join the RAN fleet in 1978.
Otama was known as one of the "Mystery Boats." This meant it had extra equipment for secret missions. Its job was to gather information about other countries' ships, especially those from the Soviet Pacific Fleet and the Chinese Navy, across Asia.
In 1980, Otama took part in the RAN's biggest ever "flag-showing cruise" in the Indian Ocean. This was a trip to show off Australia's naval power. From 1983 to 1985, the submarine went through a major upgrade. Otama stayed in service until late 2000. It was kept longer than planned to help with issues with the newer Collins-class submarines that were replacing it.
In 2001, Otama was sold to a group called the Western Port Oberon Association. They hoped to turn it into a museum vessel as part of a planned Victorian Maritime Centre. However, finding a place to build the museum was difficult. In 2008, the submarine was even listed for sale on eBay, but it didn't sell. In 2013, there was approval to build the museum near Hastings. But as of 2016, the final building permits had not been approved.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia |
|
| Builder | Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company |
| Laid down | 25 May 1973 |
| Launched | 3 December 1975 |
| Commissioned | 27 April 1978 |
| Decommissioned | 15 December 2000 |
| Motto | "Unseen We Seek" |
| Nickname(s) |
|
| Status | Awaiting preservation |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Oberon-class submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 295.2 ft (90.0 m) |
| Beam | 26.5 ft (8.1 m) |
| Draught | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Test depth | 200 metres (660 ft) |
| Complement |
|
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
About the Oberon-Class Submarine Design
The Oberon-class submarines were based on an earlier British design called the Porpoise class. Changes were made to make them stronger, improve their sensors, and help them stay hidden. The Royal Australian Navy ordered eight of these submarines.
Otama was about 295.2 feet (90.0 m) long. It had a width (called a beam) of 26.5 feet (8.1 m). When floating on the surface, its bottom sat 18 feet (5.5 m) deep in the water.
How Otama Moved and Its Speed
When on the surface, Otama weighed 2,030 tons. When fully underwater, it weighed 2,410 tons. The submarine had two propellers. Each propeller was powered by an English Electric motor. These motors got their electricity from two powerful diesel generators.
Otama could travel up to 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) (about 22 kilometers per hour) on the surface. It could go faster, up to 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) (about 31 kilometers per hour), when fully submerged underwater. It could travel for a very long distance, about 9,000 nautical miles (16,668 km; 10,357 mi) (over 16,000 kilometers), at a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). The submarine could dive to a maximum depth of 200 metres (656 ft) (about 656 feet) below the sea.
Crew and Equipment on Board
When Otama was first launched, it had a crew of 8 officers and 56 sailors. By the time it was taken out of service, the number of sailors had increased to 60. The submarine could also carry up to 16 trainees.
The Oberon-class submarines had six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes at the front. At first, they used British Mark 8 torpedoes. Later, these were replaced with wire-guided Mark 23 torpedoes.
After a big refit that finished in 1985, Otama was updated. It could then carry Mark 48 torpedoes and UGM-84 Sub Harpoon anti-ship missiles from the United States Navy. By 1996, a typical load for an Australian Oberon submarine was a mix of 20 Mark 48 Mod 4 torpedoes and Sub Harpoon missiles. Instead of torpedoes, the submarine could also carry Mark 5 Stonefish sea mines. These mines were launched through the torpedo tubes.
When Otama first started service, it also had two shorter torpedo tubes at the back. These were for Mark 20 anti-submarine torpedoes. However, newer wire-guided torpedoes could be steered, making the older back-firing torpedoes unnecessary. So, these back tubes were sealed off and later removed during a refit.
Building and Commissioning Otama
Otama was built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Greenock, Scotland. Its construction began on 25 May 1973. It was launched into the water on 3 December 1975. The submarine officially joined the RAN on 27 April 1978.
Otama was supposed to start service in 1976. But there was a problem with faulty electrical cables installed in Otama and its sister boat Orion. These cables had to be removed and replaced. This caused a two-year delay for both submarines. The delay meant that both boats could be fitted with special Micropuffs sonar during construction. This was an upgrade that earlier submarines would receive later.
Otama was the sixth and final Oberon-class submarine to join the RAN. Its name comes from an Aboriginal word from North Queensland that means "dolphin." This was a new tradition for RAN submarines, which usually used names of explorers. Otama was given the pennant number 62. Because of its high-quality internal fittings, it earned the nickname "Gucci Boat."
Otama received special electronic surveillance equipment. This was similar to what its sister ship Orion had been fitted with during its construction.
