Gabonese fast attack craft President El Hadj Omar Bongo

President El Hadj Omar Bongo was a fast attack craft (FAC) in service with the Gabon Navy. The vessel was constructed in France and entered service in 1978. It was later renamed General Nazaire Boulingui. The FAC was re-engined in 1985.

Description and design
The FAC had a full load displacement of 150 LT and measured 138 ft long overall with a beam of 25 ft and a draught of 6 ft. President El Hadj Omar Bongo had a triple-skinned mahogany hull. The vessel was powered by three MTU 20V 672 TY90 diesel engines turning three shafts rated at 9,450 bhp. The FAC had capacity for 28.4 LT diesel fuel and had a maximum speed of 38.5 kn and a range of 1500 nmi at 15 kn. During sea trials, the vessel reached a maximum speed of 40 kn at 10500 bhp.

President El Hadj Omar Bongo was equipped with Racal Decca RM1226 navigational radar. The FAC mounted two twin-mounted SS12M surface-to-surface missiles and had one 40 mm gun and one DCN 20 mm gun for anti-aircraft defence. The vessel had a complement of 20 including 3 officers.

Construction and career
The ship was built by Chantiers Navals de l'Esterel in Cannes, France. The vessel was launched on 21 November 1977, and commissioned into the Gabon Navy on 7 August 1978. The ship was named after the then-ruler of Gabon, Omar Bongo. The vessel's name was later changed to General Nazaire Boulingui. The FAC was re-engined in 1985, receiving three SACM 195 V12 CSHR diesel engines rated at 5400 hp. This gave the vessel a maximum speed of 32 kn. In 2000 General Nazaire Boulingui was re-activated.