Operational History
On 8 September 1980, Otama joined five other RAN vessels to form the Australia Squadron. The Squadron, which included HMA Ships Melbourne, Perth, Derwent, Stalwart, and HMAS Supply spent two months in the Indian Ocean as part of a flag-showing cruise; the largest RAN deployment since World War II.
Otama was the last of the Australian Oberons to undergo the Submarine Weapon Update Program, a major overhaul of the boats' warfighting capabilities. The upgrade was completed by Cockatoo Island Dockyard in 1985.
On 3 August 1987, two sailors were killed aboard Otama. At 09:00, the submarine left HMAS Platypus to test a new towed hydrophone system. Foul weather prevented the trials, and two sailors were sent into the fin to recover the equipment. At 10:35, the submarine was prepared for diving, and she submerged four minutes later, with the two men still in the fin. Their absence was not noticed until around 11:00, and was not confirmed for at least another half hour. The coronial inquiry found that the sailors had climbed to the fin's bridge and attempted to contact the control room but were unsuccessful before being washed away and drowning. The bodies were not recovered.
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