The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) has taken delivery of the new Damen-built three-masted RNOV Shabab Oman II steel clipper at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
It follows the successful completion of sea trials in late July, which were performed in North Sea coastal waters around Vlissingen.
Aimed at replacing the RNO’s existing vessel for training tasks, the 87m-long full-square rigger will act as an ambassador for Oman.
Omani Royal Navy commodore Khalifa said: "This new vessel will sail around the world with a message of peace and friendship.
"Thank you to Damen for building this magnificent ship for us."
The majority of construction took place at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania, and the vessel was then towed to the Vlissingen yard for the deployment of the 50m steel / aluminium masts, rigging and spars.
With a fully unfurled sail area of 2,700m², the steel-hulled vessel comes with a twin propeller shaft arrangement and incorporates three generators, in addition to an emergency back-up unit.
It can accommodate 34 navy recruits and a crew of 58, while its internal spaces are designed for low noise and vibration.
Image: The RNO’s sail training clipper, Shabab Oman II. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.
