HMAS Otama (SS 62/SSG 62) was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Engineers in Scotland built the submarine. It was the last of its class to enter service. The RAN commissioned it in 1978. HMAS Otama was a specialist submarine. It was one of two “Mystery Boats”. They had more spy gear and intelligence tools. Otama gathered intelligence. It was on the Soviet Pacific Fleet. She also gathered it on Chinese Navy ships. It conducted coastal surveillance in Asia. It focused on classified operations. The submarine joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1980. It was their largest fleet. They cruised in the Indian Ocean. From 1983 to 1985, she underwent an extensive upgrade. In August 1987, two submariners died. They died when Otama submerged. They were still working in the fin. Otama remained in service until late 2000. They delayed retiring the Collins-class submarines. This was to reduce problems with the new ones. It was from her planned date. In 2001, the Western Port Oberon Association bought Otama. They planned to keep her as a museum ship. She would be at the proposed Victorian Maritime Centre. They rejected proposals. The proposals to build a maritime museum. . In late 2008, Otama listed the submarine for sale on eBay. Yet, many people showed interest. But, it was not sold. In 2013, authorities approved the Victorian Maritime Centre. It is on reclaimed land next to the Western Port Marina at Hastings. However, as of 2016, they have not yet approved the planning permits.
Hmas Otama, The story
HMAS Otama was a submarine that served in the Royal Australian Navy. Scotland built it and it became operational in 1978. This made it the last of its kind in the Navy. Otama was special. It was a “Mystery Boat” with cool gadgets. They used them for spying. They also used them for gathering intelligence. It went on secret missions to snoop on Soviet ships in the Pacific. In 1980, Otama participated in the Navy’s largest exercise. Later, in 1983, it underwent a major upgrade that lasted two years. Tragedy struck in 1987 when a submarine sank, claiming the lives of two sailors. But Otama continued operating until 2000. There were some delays. The Navy required it to substitute for new submarines. The submarines were experiencing problems. In 2001, the Western Port Oberon Association purchased Otama. They planned to convert it into a museum ship. However, they struggled to find a home for it on the Mornington Peninsula. People expressed interest, yet none made a purchase in the end. So, in 2008, they listed it on eBay but only had permission in principle. They stored the submarine near the Western Port Marina. However, they did not obtain the necessary permits. A shipbreaker transported Otama to Western Australia. They demolished it. It was a shame – many people had attempted to save it as a museum.
Design and construction
The Battle for Preservation
After decommissioning, a highly publicized, decades-long battle took place to save the vessel from the scrapyard:
2001: The Western Port Oberon Association bought the submarine, intending to make it the centerpiece of a new museum ship project for the proposed Victorian Maritime Centre on the Mornington Peninsula.
2008: Stalled by local government pushback and a lack of permits, the association made headlines by listing the submarine for sale on eBay. While it drew massive public curiosity, no sale went through.
The Final Outcome: For years, the vessel sat moored in limbo near the Western Port Marina at Hastings. Despite gaining “in-principle” approval for a maritime center, the association was never able to secure the final planning permits required to bring the submarine ashore.
The Final Voyage: After all local rescue efforts failed and fundraising ran dry, the historic vessel was sold to a shipbreaker. Otama was ultimately towed away to Western Australia and broken up for scrap—a bittersweet conclusion for the thousands of volunteers who fought for years to save it.
HMAS Otama Launch
The Oberon class was inspired by the Porpoise class, featuring a reinforced hull, upgraded sensors, and improved stealth capabilities.
The Royal Australian Navy ordered eight submarines in two batches of four, with the first batch approved in 1963 and the second, including Otama, in the late 1960s. Construction began in 1969 after two projects were cancelled and funding redirected to the Fleet Air Arm, marking the fourth attempt to establish a submarine branch.
Each submarine is 295.2 feet (90.0 m) long, with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 m) and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 m) when surfaced. It displaces 2,030 tons on the surface and 2,410 tons submerged. Powered by two V16 diesel generators and an English Electric motor providing 3,500 brake horsepower, it can reach 12 knots (22 km/h) on the surface and 17 knots (31 km/h) underwater, with a range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) at 12 knots. Its test depth is 200 meters (660 ft). Initially, it had 8 officers and 56 sailors, later increasing to 60, with a capacity for 16 trainees.
The Hunt for HMAS Otama
Max Bryant discovered that the Royal Australian Navy was decommissioning its Oberon-class submarines. He contacted the Navy Disposal Department about HMAS Otama, the last of its kind, which was built in Scotland and decommissioned in December 2000. Max submitted a proposal that impressed Dr. Brendan Nelson, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence. His bid for Western Port was successful, securing a $500,000 grant to purchase the submarine for $550,000 and cover a $306,000 towing fee. However, additional costs for EPA approval and insurance raised expenses significantly, leaving limited funding when HMAS Otama finally arrived in Western Port on 30 April 2002 after a 13-day journey.
This marked a new direction in Victoria’s maritime tourism, shifting towards complete vessels like HMAS Onslow and HMAS Ovens, which attracted significant crowds and led to a $24 million museum relocation, drawing 55,000 visitors in eight months.
The Western Port Oberon Association plans an innovative display for Otama. They will create openings in the hull to connect it to the Victorian Maritime Centre via tunnels for walkers, addressing access issues.
With 7 million annual visitors to the Mornington Peninsula, the Centre is poised to become a key tourist attraction, and Otama’s unique presentation will enhance Western Port’s maritime tourism appeal.
Loss of Submarine HMAS Otama.
The loss of the submarine HMAS Otama has outraged the Victorian public. They intended it to be the centrepiece of a tourism project in Western Port. The Western Port Oberon Association bought Otama in 2003. They paid $55,000. No government supported the project. This includes the federal, state, and local governments. Despite many letters and meetings with politicians. In 2020, Defence Disposals offered to purchase Otama for a dollar or take it away. Later, they suggested cutting the submarine into pieces. Then, they would return the pieces. In 2021, severe storms damaged Otama. Parks Victoria issued a notice to remove it. Parks then bullied the association. He made them sell Otama for a dollar. The loss of Otama means the loss of 200 jobs. It is also a platform for veterans and a lifeline for local businesses. The community feels devastated. Parks spent $5 million to remove and dispose of Otama. It could have cost one-tenth as much to bring it ashore. The project’s failure is a mystery. The community has rallied behind the project. They signed petitions. They also wrote letters of support. But it’s not over yet. We need a stronger voice to champion the cause and save Otama. If we can’t return it whole, we at least want some of its main pieces back.