Contrary to the month of July, August was an interesting month indeed, starting with an interesting Russian Navy Replenishment tanker RFS AKADEMIK PASHIN that passed in the Malta/Sicily Channel on Friday 2nd August.
Tuesday 6th August.
The Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana) ocean ketch , a sail training yacht ITS ORSA MAGGIORE A 5323 anchored at Xrobb L-Ghagin, south of Malta at 2201 hrs.
Wednesday 7th August.
The sail training yacht ITS ORSA MAGGIORE A 5323 entered Marsamxett Harbour bound to Roland Marina at 0927 hrs.
Sunday 11th August.
The sail training yacht ITS ORSA MAGGIORE A 5323 left Marsamxett Harbour at 1043 hrs with Porto Empedocle, Sicily as her next port of call.
Tuesday 13th August.
The Royal Netherlands Navy Logistics Support Ship (LSS) HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN A 833 which was the flagship of EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides called to Valletta passing breakwaters at 1019 hrs marking her maiden call berthing at DWQ 1.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/a-833-hnlms-karel-doorman-13-08-2024/
She also made history as she was the second ship bearing the same name calling at Valletta, Malta and the third ship of the Dutch Navy to be seen by Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos (MSPAP).
Friday 16th August.
The Royal Netherlands Navy Logistics Support Ship (LSS) HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN A 833 left Valletta passing breakwaters at 1001 hrs heading to the Middle East for evacuation of Dutch citizens from Lebanon but later order was changed and headed to home at Den Helder, Netherlands.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/a-833-hnlms-karel-doorman-16-08-2024/
Apart from ribs including a FRISC RHIB
She had a Dutch Airforce Eurocopter AS 532U2 Cougar Helicopter wearing a camo livery with serial as S-419 and cn as 2419.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/s-419-eurocopter-as-532u2-cougar-helicopter-16-08-2024/
Sunday 18th August.
The Hellenic Navy Etna Class Replenishment Ship HS PROMETHEUS A 374 called once again at Valletta passing breakwaters at 0800 hrs berthing starboard side alongside DWQ 1.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/a374-hs-prometheus-18-08-2024/
Following her was the Dutch built and former Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS JAN VAN BRAKEL F 825 now as HS KANARIS F 464 berthing starboard side alongside HS PROMETHEUS passing breakwaters at 1015 hrs.
Tuesday 20th August.
Both Hellenic Navy ships HS PROMETHEUS A 374 and HS KANARIS F 464 left Valletta from their berth at DWQ 1 at 0751 hrs and 0910 hrs.
Tuesday 27th August.
Week later , the classic Marina Militare Italiana Durand de la Penne Class Guided Missile Destroyer ITS LUIGI DURAND DE LA PENNE D 560 entered Valletta passing breakwaters at 0947 hrs and berthing port side alongside at DWQ 1.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/d560-its-luigi-durand-de-la-penne-27-08-2024/
She had 1 Helicopter embarked – SH-90A from Grupelicot 5 with serial as MM81577 coded 3-01
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/mm81577-3-01-sh90a-27-08-2024/
On Thursday 29th August MSPAP was invited aboard for a lovely ship tour –
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/mm81577-3-01-sh90a-29-08-2024/
Friday 30th August.
With few minutes delay to an inbound ro/ro ship , the classic Marina Militare Italiana Durand de la Penne Class Guided Missile Destroyer ITS LUIGI DURAND DE LA PENNE D 560 left Valletta passing breakwaters at 1522 hrs, possibly the last time that she was here at Malta due that she’ll be decommissioned in 2 months time. Surely will be missed……
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/d560-its-luigi-durand-de-la-penne-30-08-2024/
