Friday 2nd February.
Year 2024 was started with an interesting naval movement and the maiden call of the French Navy Mistral Class Amphibious Assault & Command Ship (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement / BPC) FS DIXMUDE L 9015.
She passed breakwaters at 0817 hrs coming from Egypt after she was being used as a floating hospital and humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza, thanks to her reinforced medical capability. For this 2 month mission, she had a crew of 500, including 240 sailors and more than 70 medical staff coming from various countries and administrations.
She was assisted by 1 harbour tug and berthed starboard side alongside Pinto 1 and 2 wharves, part of Valletta Cruise Port.
During her stay she made several diving operations and allowed her crew to rest after the intensive humanitarian mission.
More images of while she’s entering – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/l-9015-dixmude-no-1-02-02-2024/
More images while she’s berthed – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/l-9015-dixmude-no-2-02-02-2024/
Sunday 4th February.
Harbour Pilot and tugs were ordered for 1730 hrs for departure but according to one of the tugs, order was for 1800 hrs.
In fact she passed breakwaters at 1826 hrs bound to her homeport at Toulon, France.
More images click here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/l-9015-dixmude-04-02-2024/
Wednesday 7th February.
After nearly 20 years after her maiden call, the Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) 1985 commissioned Lerici Class Minehunter ITS VIESTE 5553 entered Grand Harbour passing breakwaters at 1312 assisted by 2 tugs (Husbandry agent ordered 1 tug but CO wanted another tug due to wind conditions).
She was secured at DWQ 2 port side alongside.
Images of her whilst berthed – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/m-5553-its-vieste-07-02-2024/
On Friday 9th February an ROV Gaymarine Pluto GIGAS equipment was spotted on her aft –
Friday 9th February.
On the eve of a Public Holiday in Malta, the United States Navy Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer USS BULKERLEY DDG 84 was again at Malta after her maiden call was also 20 years ago.
She passed breakwaters at 0823 hrs assisted by 2 tugs and berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves, part of Valletta Cruise Port.
More images of while she’s entering – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/ddg-84-uss-bulkerley-no-1-09-02-2024/
More images while she’s berthed – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/ddg-84-uss-bulkerley-no-2-09-02-2024/
Later in the afternoon one of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk embarked aboard from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Nine (HSM-79) “Griffins” which is a US Navy Helicopter squadron based at Naval Base Rota, Rota , Spain was out on the helipad – 1666547/HG-731.
More images here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/166547-hg731-mh60r-seahawk-09-02-2024/
On Saturday 10th February, a Public Holiday in Malta she was uplifting bunkers with tanker ELAURA –
More images here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/elaura-10-02-2024/
Monday 12th February.
Around 1045 hrs the United States Navy Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer USS BULKERLEY DDG 84 departure was ordered via her husbandry agent at 1500 hrs.
At 1434 hrs Harbour Pilot was onboard and she passed breakwaters at 1455 hrs.
Tuesday 20th February.
After changing her dates twice , the French Navy La Fayette Class Frigate FS COURBET F 712 entered Grand Harbour at 0836 hrs assisted by 2 local tugs after an absence of nearly 13 years.
Images provided by Mr. Anthony Vella
Her berth was at DWQ 2 , berthing starboard side alongside.
She had 1 x AS565SA Panther helicopter serial 524 embarked of which at times, it was outside on the helipad.
Friday 23rd February.
Although her diplomatic clearance was until Saturday 24th the frigate decided to leave on Friday with weather conditions considered too. In fact she left Valletta at 1709 hrs assisted by 2 local tugs.
Sunday 25th February.
And once again the Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) Cassiopeia Class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) – ITS CASSIOPEIA P401 passed breakwaters at 0802 hrs, sheltering from a whole week of strong wing and bad weather conditions berthing at DWQ 2 Wharf.
