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Image Not Available for JUMHURIYAH lifebuoy signed by the crew boarding party of HMAS KANIMBLA
JUMHURIYAH lifebuoy signed by the crew boarding party of HMAS KANIMBLA
Image Not Available for JUMHURIYAH lifebuoy signed by the crew boarding party of HMAS KANIMBLA

JUMHURIYAH lifebuoy signed by the crew boarding party of HMAS KANIMBLA

Date2003
Object number00037564
NameLifebuoy
MediumPlastic, rope, fabric
DimensionsOverall: 250 x 700 x 140 mm, 2.5 kg
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from Royal Australian Navy, Directorate of Naval History
DescriptionAn orange circular shaped lifebuoy from an Iraqui tug JUMHURIYAH. The tug was intercepted by HMAS KANIMBLA in 2003 as part of the Coalition Forces securing passage to the port of Umm Qasr. The lifebuoy features the signatures of crew members who boarded the tug.HistoryAustralian Defence Force : Operation Falconer. 23 March 2003 KANIMBLA intercepts weapons cache "At first light yesterday, HMAS KANIMBLA, as part of Coalition Forces operating in the Persian Gulf, played a pivotal role in the capture of 3 Iraqi vessels laden with 86 LUG and MANTA mines. A KANIMBLA Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) boarding party was dispatched with a US Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to board the barge NAIHAWA and the tug JUMHURIYAH suspected of carrying illegal cargo. Royal Australian Navy personnel conducted a thorough search of the vessels and discovered the mines as well as a cache of small arms and semi-automatic weapons. The mines were discovered in the barge hold, which is designed to store oil while small arms and automatic weapons were found in the bilge, under mattresses and on the bridge. The captured vessels were destined for the waters off Umm Qasr, a key port in Southern Iraq and a major launching point for humanitarian aid on board two Coalition ships waiting in the Persian Gulf. LUG mines are amongst the most numerous in Iraq's arsenal and carry a charge of 145kg. The mines are anchored at a minimum of 3 metres from the surface and are designed for maximum damage to the ship's hull. HMAS KANIMBLA was operating as part of Coalition forces clearing the mouth of the KAA to ensure safe passage and rapid Coalition progress to Umm Qasr. The crew of HMAS KANIMBLA is demonstrating the high skill levels and quality of training of Australian Defence Force personnel." SignificanceHMAS KANIMBLA played an important role in the capture of three Iraqi vessels laden with mines on the 23rd March 2003,during the 'War on Iraq'. The boarding party removed the lifebuoy listed above from the vessel named JAMHOROA. Each of the boarding crew signed the lifebuoy and it was returned to Australia.