On 12 September, the Royal Navy of Oman formally accepted ownership of its new sail training vessel at a ceremony at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
The three-masted steel clipper, named RNOV Shabab Oman II, will sail the world’s oceans as an ambassador for Oman, demonstrating the country’s centuries-old maritime tradition. The 87-metre vessel is Damen’s third such clipper.
The acceptance ceremony follows the successful completion of sea trials in late July that took place in North Sea coastal waters around Vlissingen.
“During the trials, we checked everything that cannot be tested while moored in the harbor,” explained Damen Project Manager Arnoud Both. Shabab Oman’s impressive 2,700 m² sail area was also put to the test.
Damen brought in eight of its own technical personnel and a number of systems subcontractors for the sea trials. However, sailing such a special vessel requires specialized expertise.
“We hired an experienced clipper captain and some of the officers and crew members from another Damen-built clipper, the Stad Amsterdam,” said Mr Both.
[mappress]