The SAAF Forum

Hey all, does anyone have pics of the frigates and OPVs in Durban?

that would be good to see.

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Roshan Bachan

SAS Amatola at SA Shipyards today.

I've got this one taken in Jan of SAS Isaac Dyoba and SAS Makhanda.

Great seeing those old ladies tied up alongside each other, like the old days!
I see there anchors are secured differently.

Also noticed during the festival that quite a bit of Mendi's parts are missing. Most noticeable was the jet propulsion system and big radar and ofcourse, the long missing port anchor cover/door. She also has one quite deep gash on her starboard side.

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Roshan Bachan

Saw this old lady on the otherside of our bay, by the Maritime Museum. Strange to see she still has her guns.

I know this is not technically "Seen in the Bay" but I thought it may interest all of you. SAS Amatola receiving a fresh paint job in the Prince Edward Graving Dock after its refit at SA Shipyards.

Hiya Durbanite - welcome to the forum and thanks for the update. That sounds like a very fast turnaround time if they have reached the painting stage. We've lots to be proud of

Now that is a strange paint job, why has it been painted in camouflage green and brown?

Welcome Durbanite, hope this is the first of many posts.



I reckon that is the protective undercoat.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. A work colleague (ex Navy) introduced me to this forum a few days ago and I've spent hours looking through the posts and pics, especially "Seen in the Bay".

I hope to post more images in the future but it is difficult (well, basically impossible) to get around to Salisbury Island here in Durban. But I hope to capture the new OPVs if and when they're built here.

And yes, that is the undercoat on the Amatola

I didn't realise Amatola was going through a major refit. What work has she had done?

@ Foxtrot....from early postings over the years one will see that F145 SAS Amatola was in fact worked extremely hard both around SA shores and oversees visits, patrols, joint naval exercises and this mid-life refit was right on schedule. I recall someone saying on this forum it was "well-deserved" refit after years of considerably active duty. Oh..how we miss Eugene and his valued input on this forum.

She also needed her main engines replaced which was a huge job in itself. They had to cut a hole in the flight deck and do all sorts of other things to get the old engines out and the new ones in. As I'm sure most of you know, the one engine was poked.

Here's to another 10 years of dedicated service by Amatola.

Haha, I understand that, I'm not ignorant about these things. I know she has been worked hard, I remember her having her engines replaced but didn't realise she was having a major refit and in Durban no less. Would have thought she would go to Germany for it.

Just surprised that I missed it, thats all. I don't think there has been much official news about it.

Anyway, I would just like to know what a Mid-Life refit entails?

In keeping with the original post request, here are some pics of SAS Spioenkop off Durban during the World Cup.