Saturday 1st March. The Marina Militare Italiana Cassiopea Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ITS CASSIOPEA P 401 was the first naval unit to enter for the month of March and passed breakwaters at 0913 hrs since tugs were engaged with a Panamax Crude Oil Tanker Movement. Original eta was at 0800 but she exchanged VHF […]

On Wednesday 13th November, 2002 the 87-foot Protector Class boat, bought out of a $13 million grant made available to Malta under the US Securities Assistance Act of 2000 P 51 was handed over to the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) at the Maritime Squadron Base. The grant had been given for the purchase of […]

Monday 3rd February. The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HMS TRENT P 224 shifted from Hamilton Wharf North to South in front of Dock 3 with pilot onboard at 0830 hrs. More images can be found here – P224 HMS Trent – 12.02.2025 – Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos The […]

One of the 4 cathedrals in the Maltese Islands ( 3 Roman Catholic and 1 Anglican) is the 12th century founded St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral commonly known as St Paul’s Cathedral or the Mdina Cathedral, that is a Catholic Cathedral located at Mdina, Malta, dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. The cathedral was founded in the 12th century, and according to […]

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN CVN 75  was involved in a collision with a 2002 built bulker near Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea last Wednesday 12th February night. It’s not clear what caused the collision between the carrier and the Panamanian flagged (PAN) bulker BESIKTAS-M, but the navy spokesperson said it […]

The only surviving gate within the fortifications of Valletta since all the other fortified gates were demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries is VICTORIA GATE. It was built by the British in 1885, and was named after Queen Victoria. The gate is the main entrance into the city from the Grand Harbour area, which was once the […]

On Thursday 16th January, 2025 the hulk of the Navy’s last conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS JOHN F.KENNEDY CV 67 started her final voyage from the Navy’s Philadelphia Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility to Brownsville, Texas for dismantling. Shortly before 0900 hrs tugs assisted the hulk down the Delaware River and was attached via a tow […]

Friday 3rd January.  The Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) Bergamini Class Anti Submarine Frigate (FREMM) ITS ALPINO F 594 left Valletta passing breakwaters at 1031 hrs bound to the Mediterranean Sea to form part of Mare Sicuro Deployment. More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/f-594-its-alpino-03-01-2025/ Monday 6th January.  The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class […]

On Thursday 23rd January, 2025 the Russian Navy Intelligence ship RFS KILDIN suffered an engine room fire while loitering off Syria’s coast last week. The incident was observed by French naval forces on Thursday but not reported until Monday. According to French radio station RFI,  she was spotted in Syrian territorial waters around 20 nautical […]

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) which coordinates and monitors security in the region issued two warnings on Friday, January 24, while reporting the authorities were investigating. One of them was from the 2011 built roro ship LIBERTY POWER which the master reported that the ship was approached by a small military craft around 0630 hrs […]

On Friday 17th January, 2025 the 2015 Dutch built and owned multi purpose (MPP) ship – EEMSLIFT HENDRIKA passed breakwaters at 0341 hrs assisted by 2 tugs, coming from Nice, France berthing Port Side alongside DWQ 2. With strong SE Force 7 winds in force the vessel’s captain together with StarClass Yacht Transport Personnel were […]

One of 3 floating docks operated by the Italian Navy or Marina Militare Italiana (MMI) – GO 53 sank in her place sitting on the seabed without injuries at Arsenale Militare, Augusta, Sicily during July 2024. The Marina Militare Arsenale of Augusta is located in the north-eastern area of ​​the Augusta harbour and is divided […]

The U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) only heavy icebreaker – USCGC POLAR STAR WAGB 10, left Sydney, Australia on Friday 27th December, 2024 to begin her Antarctic mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2025. The departure marks the vessel’s 28th voyage to Antarctica, where she will play a crucial role in resupplying U.S. research stations. Before leaving […]

Tuesday 3rd December .  The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Dock Landing Ship RFA MOUNTS BAY L 3008 left Valletta passed breakwaters at 1422 hrs assisted by 2 tugs from her berth at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves. (On another note she arrived home on Wednesday 18th December after she stopped at HMNB Gibraltar for few days) […]

The ONLY Syrian Navy  Ship  that called at Malta was the cadet training ship AL ASSAD during July 1994 berthing at Crucifix Wharf now Pinto Wharf. The Syrian Navy, officially the Syrian Arab Navy (Arabic: الْبَحْرِيَّةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Baḥrīyah al-ʿArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is the navy branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. The main role of […]

The 2006 built crude oil tanker SOUNION which was hit last 21stAugust  by Iran-backed Houthis off the coast of Hodeida while carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil started being towed threatening environmental disaster. The 2010 Polish built anchor handling tug/supply ship AIGAION PELAGOS started towing the tanker escorted by military vessels after she left Kali […]

One of the Excellent Passenger Boats Company around the Maltese Islands that apart from Gozo/Comino they do Harbour Tours or Harbour Cruise as its known are LUZZU CRUISES. You will embark the boat from Sliema Ferries and cruise inside Sliema Creek, around Manoel Island to Lazzaretto creek, better known as the yacht Marina, round Ta’ […]

Last Friday 7th June the 250.24 m long (loa) Maritime Prepositioning Ship (PREPO) USNS PFC EUGENE A. OBREGON T-AK 3006 arrived at the recycling yard All Star Metals & All Star Shredding at Brownsville, Texas, United States of America (USA). She was built in 1982 at the Sun Shipbuilding, Chester, Pennsylvania as THOMAS HEYWARD for Waterman Steamship […]

Nearly 2 years after she was decommissioned from the Irish Naval Service the 1984 commissioned former Flagship and Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) LE EITHNE P 31 left Cork Harbour, Republic of Ireland for the last time on Saturday 1st June, 2024 bound to breakers at Gent, Belgium. She was built by Verolme Cork Dockyard (VCD) […]

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, SWEDEN has provided military, humanitarian and civil support to support Ukraine. Since February 2022, Sweden contributed approximately SEK 52 billion (approx. EUR 4,5 billion*) to various initiatives that support Ukraine (29 May 2024). Together with the EU, Sweden has also adopted macroeconomic support and several sanctions packages […]

11 years ago also on a Wednesday the last voyage of the light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Royal Navy HMS ARK ROYAL R 07 was photographed from the air by MALTA SHIP PHOTOS (MSPAP) while being towed by the Greek anchor handing tug/supply vessel CHRISTOS XXIII while underway to Leyal Ship Recycling […]

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Forward Repair Ship RFA DILIGENCE A 132 towed by the 2011 built Spanish anchor handling tug (aht) VB HISPANIA passed by Malta today Tuesday 2nd April, 2024. Built in Landskrona, Sweden, as the offshore support vessel STENA INSPECTOR, she was chartered by the British government during the critical months of […]

One of the Fortifications full of never ending history around the Maltese Islands is FORT SAINT ELMO (in Maltese as FORTI SANT’ IERMU) , situated at Valletta. Building it started in 1552 and it stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort […]

On Monday 11th April, 2022 the Incat Crowther 42 High Speed Craft GOZO EXPRESS arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta as a deck cargo aboard the 2014 built mpp vessel EEMSLIFT DAFNE after she passed the Suez Canal on Thursday 7th April. GOZO EXPRESS arrived as EXCELLENCE OF MAJESTIC homeported at Singapore (SGP) with 42.2 metres […]

Two years after the largest catamaran operating in the Mediterranean and the second largest in the world SAINT JOHN PAUL II entered Mgarr Harbour, Gozo last Monday 2nd March, 2020 it was the turn for the Austal built 68.4 metres long High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES to enter Mgarr Harbour, preparations for the Pope Francis Apostolic Visit […]

7 stowaways believed to be Nigerian, who threatened the lives of 22 crew members on board the tanker NAVE ANDROMEDA are being questioned by authorities following last Sunday 25th October rescue mission off the coast of the Isle of Wight. The UK’s elite Special Boat Service was drafted in after the Home Secretary Pritti Patel […]

Colombia’s navy has intercepted 14 semi-submersible vessels, known as “narco subs,” in the Pacific Ocean in 2018, more than triple what it seized all last year, and the uptick comes as the country grapples with a sustained increase in cocaine production. Together with United States Coast Guard (USCG), Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine […]

An approved DP1 survey vessel with a proven track record in the North Sea and Arctic is the 1976 built KOMMANDOR STUART owned by Hays Ships, UK . She was built in Norway at Sterkoder Mekaniske Verksted in Kristiansund as yard no 58 as the Icelandic Ferry HERJOLFUR trading until Sepember 1993. Then she was […]

Strategic sealift ships are part of the United States Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) prepositioning program. Currently there are around 50 ships in the program, strategically positioned around the world to support the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency. Most are named after Medal of Honor recipients from the service they support. The Prepositioning Ships (PREPO) in each squadron have sufficient equipment, […]

FORT LEONARDO also known as Fort San Leonardo or Fort San Anard, is a polygonal fort (no bastions) in Żabbar, Malta. It was built between 1872 and 1878 by the British between the villages of San Leonardo and Żonqor above the shore east of Grand Harbour as part of a program of improvements to Malta’s fortifications. The fort was to be called Fort […]

Saturday 1st March. The Marina Militare Italiana Cassiopea Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ITS CASSIOPEA P 401 was the first naval unit to enter for the month of March and passed breakwaters at 0913 hrs since tugs were engaged with a Panamax Crude Oil Tanker Movement. Original eta was at 0800 but she exchanged VHF […]

On Wednesday 13th November, 2002 the 87-foot Protector Class boat, bought out of a $13 million grant made available to Malta under the US Securities Assistance Act of 2000 P 51 was handed over to the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) at the Maritime Squadron Base. The grant had been given for the purchase of […]

Monday 3rd February. The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HMS TRENT P 224 shifted from Hamilton Wharf North to South in front of Dock 3 with pilot onboard at 0830 hrs. More images can be found here – P224 HMS Trent – 12.02.2025 – Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos The […]

One of the 4 cathedrals in the Maltese Islands ( 3 Roman Catholic and 1 Anglican) is the 12th century founded St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral commonly known as St Paul’s Cathedral or the Mdina Cathedral, that is a Catholic Cathedral located at Mdina, Malta, dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. The cathedral was founded in the 12th century, and according to […]

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN CVN 75  was involved in a collision with a 2002 built bulker near Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea last Wednesday 12th February night. It’s not clear what caused the collision between the carrier and the Panamanian flagged (PAN) bulker BESIKTAS-M, but the navy spokesperson said it […]

The only surviving gate within the fortifications of Valletta since all the other fortified gates were demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries is VICTORIA GATE. It was built by the British in 1885, and was named after Queen Victoria. The gate is the main entrance into the city from the Grand Harbour area, which was once the […]

On Thursday 16th January, 2025 the hulk of the Navy’s last conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS JOHN F.KENNEDY CV 67 started her final voyage from the Navy’s Philadelphia Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility to Brownsville, Texas for dismantling. Shortly before 0900 hrs tugs assisted the hulk down the Delaware River and was attached via a tow […]

Friday 3rd January.  The Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) Bergamini Class Anti Submarine Frigate (FREMM) ITS ALPINO F 594 left Valletta passing breakwaters at 1031 hrs bound to the Mediterranean Sea to form part of Mare Sicuro Deployment. More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/f-594-its-alpino-03-01-2025/ Monday 6th January.  The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class […]

On Thursday 23rd January, 2025 the Russian Navy Intelligence ship RFS KILDIN suffered an engine room fire while loitering off Syria’s coast last week. The incident was observed by French naval forces on Thursday but not reported until Monday. According to French radio station RFI,  she was spotted in Syrian territorial waters around 20 nautical […]

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) which coordinates and monitors security in the region issued two warnings on Friday, January 24, while reporting the authorities were investigating. One of them was from the 2011 built roro ship LIBERTY POWER which the master reported that the ship was approached by a small military craft around 0630 hrs […]

On Friday 17th January, 2025 the 2015 Dutch built and owned multi purpose (MPP) ship – EEMSLIFT HENDRIKA passed breakwaters at 0341 hrs assisted by 2 tugs, coming from Nice, France berthing Port Side alongside DWQ 2. With strong SE Force 7 winds in force the vessel’s captain together with StarClass Yacht Transport Personnel were […]

One of 3 floating docks operated by the Italian Navy or Marina Militare Italiana (MMI) – GO 53 sank in her place sitting on the seabed without injuries at Arsenale Militare, Augusta, Sicily during July 2024. The Marina Militare Arsenale of Augusta is located in the north-eastern area of ​​the Augusta harbour and is divided […]

The U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) only heavy icebreaker – USCGC POLAR STAR WAGB 10, left Sydney, Australia on Friday 27th December, 2024 to begin her Antarctic mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2025. The departure marks the vessel’s 28th voyage to Antarctica, where she will play a crucial role in resupplying U.S. research stations. Before leaving […]

Tuesday 3rd December .  The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Dock Landing Ship RFA MOUNTS BAY L 3008 left Valletta passed breakwaters at 1422 hrs assisted by 2 tugs from her berth at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves. (On another note she arrived home on Wednesday 18th December after she stopped at HMNB Gibraltar for few days) […]

The ONLY Syrian Navy  Ship  that called at Malta was the cadet training ship AL ASSAD during July 1994 berthing at Crucifix Wharf now Pinto Wharf. The Syrian Navy, officially the Syrian Arab Navy (Arabic: الْبَحْرِيَّةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Baḥrīyah al-ʿArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is the navy branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. The main role of […]

11 years ago also on a Wednesday the last voyage of the light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Royal Navy HMS ARK ROYAL R 07 was photographed from the air by MALTA SHIP PHOTOS (MSPAP) while being towed by the Greek anchor handing tug/supply vessel CHRISTOS XXIII while underway to Leyal Ship Recycling […]

Salvatore Bezzina, the founder of BEZZINA GROUP, began offering commercial services to the British Admiralty in the early 1940s. His company, Salv. Bezzina & Sons Ltd, was established in May 1966 and provided various services in the heavy engineering industry, including civil marine engineering, heavy haulage, dredging, steel fabrication, and erection of steel structures. Over the […]

One of the few shallow wreck dives in Malta, is the 1915 built 24 metre water lighter HMS X127 known as Carolita. Originally built as a landing craft she was converted into a water lighter and later again into a fuel lighter ferrying fuel for Royal Navy (RN) 10th Submarine flotilla. She’s one of the […]

3 large underwater volcanoes and a 100 metre shipwreck have been discovered off Sicily’s south-west coast by a team of researchers that included scientists from the University of Malta (UOM) The volcanoes are at least six kilometres wide and extend up to 150 metres above the seabed. They share the area with several smaller volcanoes […]

On Saturday 12th August 2006, 2  short sea ferryboats COMINOLAND and KARWELA were towed from Cassar Ship Repair Yard, Marsa to Ras il-Hobz, Gozo that is a submerged pinnacle also known as the Middle Finger, to be scuttled by the Gozo Tourism Association. The Pinnacle  is one of the most breathtaking dives in Gozo. The top of this pinnacle […]

Malaysia’s maritime authorities on Monday 29th May, 2023 said cannon shells believed to be from World War Two have been found on the 2014 built Chinese dredger CHUAN HONG 68  detained at the weekend for anchoring in its territorial waters without permission. The discovery came amid reports that scavengers have targeted two British World War […]

One of the Norwegian built offshore vessels was the 1977 built Diving Maintenance Support Vessel THE PERFORMER. She was built by Nylands Verksted in Oslo, Norway with yard number 784 as the ARCTIC SEAL with red hull trading until January 1987, then as V.S.O PERFORMER until 1989; VSO PERFORMER for few months and with her […]

On Saturday 13th November, 2021 thanks to Alldive Ltd Personnel together with TugMalta Personnel saved the 12.65 metre fishing vessel MFA 384 PEPPINA from sinking though her stern was already underwater at Marsalforn Bay, Gozo. Normally MFA 384 PEPPINA is moored at the Menqa in Marsalforn Bay of which last June she was spotted there […]

On Tuesday 19th October, 2021 the convoy of the 1984 built offshore tug/supply ship ARTEMIS together with the 2008 built cable layer ATALANTI though both entered separate with different harbour pilot aboard. First to enter was the ARTEMIS at 1046 hrs berthing starboard side alongside Pinto 4 Wharf. This was her second call this year […]

On Monday 18th October, 2021 the 1982 built tug MACISTONE was seen again for the second time this year escorting the 1965 built NLD flag diving support yacht ALK at 0720 hrs. At 0924 hrs ALK was handed over to tug GOZZO for further assistance and to moor at Manoel Island Marina. Of which was […]

One of the Lowestoft trawlers that was seen in Malta was the diving support vessel FALCON that was seen both at Sliema Creek, Marsamxett Harbour and at Grand Harbour in 1997. She was built in Lowestoft by the Shipyard of Richards Iron Works Ltd as Yard Number 417 for Small and Co Ltd of Lowestoft […]

One of the converted fishing vessels around is the 2008 built U BOAT NAVIGATOR. She was built at Cinar Tersanecilik Ltd, Gemlik in Turkey as the fishing vessel ESAT KOCALI and in 2012 she was converted after being acquired by the submarine pilots and expert diving instructors father-and-son duo Eugene and Dmitry Tomashov. In fact […]

MGARR IX-XINI, is a very picturesque bay set within a creek and a steep sided natural valley. It is close to Għajnsielem, Xewkija and Sannat on the island of Gozo. During the Order of Saint John it was apparently an occasional hiding place for the Knights galleys and was also used by the invading Turks to load captive Gozitans onto their ships […]

One of the first anchor handling tug/supply (AHTS) responder to EVER GIVEN aground accident in the Suez Canal on Tuesday 23rd March, 2021 was the 150 tons bollard pull AHTS MARIDIVE 703. She was built in China by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard at Zhenjiang in 2011 and homeported in Belize City (BLZ Flag). She’s 71 metres […]

One of the Faroe Islands operated vessel that was a regular visitor in Malta was the tug THOR SERVER that was used as a guard/chase boat with seismic operations. She was built in 1978 by Marine Builders Pte Ltd at Singapore as yard number 1016 named as AL JUBAIL VIII trading until 1985 where she […]

On Thursday 11th March, 2021 around 0440 hrs local time the vessel VOLGO-BALT 179 with 13 crew sent out a distress call while she was on her way to Constanta, Romania from Russia in a storm with 4 metres swell. One of the vessels that deployed in response to the call was the diving support […]

Salvatore Bezzina, the founder of BEZZINA GROUP, began offering commercial services to the British Admiralty in the early 1940s. His company, Salv. Bezzina & Sons Ltd, was established in May 1966 and provided various services in the heavy engineering industry, including civil marine engineering, heavy haulage, dredging, steel fabrication, and erection of steel structures. Over the […]

On Saturday 12th August 2006, 2  short sea ferryboats COMINOLAND and KARWELA were towed from Cassar Ship Repair Yard, Marsa to Ras il-Hobz, Gozo that is a submerged pinnacle also known as the Middle Finger, to be scuttled by the Gozo Tourism Association. The Pinnacle  is one of the most breathtaking dives in Gozo. The top of this pinnacle […]

One of the first from 3 German Customs Patrol Craft donated to Malta to be part of the 1st Maritime Battery of the Armed Forces of Malta, now known as Maritime Squadron was the 1952 built 29 metre craft BRUNSBUTTEL who arrived in Malta as deck cargo with 2 others (nowadays both broken up) aboard […]

On Monday 7th November, 2022 at 0751 hrs the 74.8 metres Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) P 71 as C 890 entered Grand Harbour, Malta during her delivery voyage coming from Chioggia, Italy. She berthed port side alongside at Ras Hanzir Dolphins (RHD). With a full load displacement of over 2,000 tonnes, 74.8 metres as length […]

During July and August 2022 Dredging Operations of Inert Material was carried out at the AFM Maritime Squadron Base at Haywharf at Marsamxett Harbour with the Ports & Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta issued Local Notice of Mariners – 091 dated 21st June, 2022 and Amendment – 118 dated 14th July 2022 . Vessels engaged […]

On Monday 11th April, 2022 the Incat Crowther 42 High Speed Craft GOZO EXPRESS arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta as a deck cargo aboard the 2014 built mpp vessel EEMSLIFT DAFNE after she passed the Suez Canal on Thursday 7th April. GOZO EXPRESS arrived as EXCELLENCE OF MAJESTIC homeported at Singapore (SGP) with 42.2 metres […]

On Saturday 2nd April, 2022 His Holiness Pope Francis during his Apostolic visit to Malta crossed to the sister island of Gozo by the High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES. After leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, Rabat , Malta the entourage proceeded to DWQ 5 to board the Virtu Ferries High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES to cross […]

Two years after the largest catamaran operating in the Mediterranean and the second largest in the world SAINT JOHN PAUL II entered Mgarr Harbour, Gozo last Monday 2nd March, 2020 it was the turn for the Austal built 68.4 metres long High Speed Craft MARIA DOLORES to enter Mgarr Harbour, preparations for the Pope Francis Apostolic Visit […]

One of the former British Forces vessels left in Malta and acquired for various services was the Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) ML 1271 built in 1943 by and used as the fishing vessel MADONNA TA POMPEI F 14. As HDML’s their numbers were from ML 1001 to ML 1600, designed by the Admiralty and […]

Two boats that were former Libyan Customs and Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Patrol Craft and were never used as short sea passenger boats were the 31.4 metres craft PRINCESS DIANA and PRINCESS ELIZABETH. PRINCESS DIANA was built in 1963 for the Libyan Customs by Brodogradiliste Kraljevica in Hrvatska at Yugoslavia as ARRAID and on […]

A 61 year old lady delivered in 1959 , currently at Malta is the water tanker XMUN (II). Started her life as HSwMS FRYKEN A 217 with the Swedish Navy she was delivered on 24th November, 1959 supporting the navy with fresh water. She was built by Marinteknik Verkstads AB of which in 1972, the […]

One of the two former military bridge erection boat 1691 was used for sometime at Grand Harbour Marina as GHM 1 to assist yachting matters at the Marina in Malta. She was powered by 1 engine with a Schottel rudderpropeller Type 100 with manufacture no as 894 and she was built in 1983. Above images […]

One of the ferries that use to be run by Gozo Channel Line was the 1955 built XLENDI. Built in 1955 originally a Danish passenger/car/train ferry HELSINGØR as Yard no 321 at Helsingør Skibs. & Msk. in Helsingør, Danmark she was 80 meters long and a beam of 12 meters with 1,123 GRT trading until […]

One of the local tankers that is no longer with us is the 1959 built MLT flag and owned bunkering tanker GOLDEN BAY. Vessel arrived in Malta in 2003 as ELDAREN after she was bought from Swedish Navy surplus and run by a local company as bunkering tanker. She was built as the BROTANK and […]

The HATHERLEIGH  was originally named SUFFOLK PUNCH (LT 395) and was built in Lowestoft by the Shipyard of Richards Iron Works Ltd as Yard Number 461. She was launched on 4th March 1961. She was owned by Small and Co. The SUFFOLK PUNCH was one of five sister ships all of very similar design and […]

One of the 4 cathedrals in the Maltese Islands ( 3 Roman Catholic and 1 Anglican) is the 12th century founded St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral commonly known as St Paul’s Cathedral or the Mdina Cathedral, that is a Catholic Cathedral located at Mdina, Malta, dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. The cathedral was founded in the 12th century, and according to […]

The only surviving gate within the fortifications of Valletta since all the other fortified gates were demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries is VICTORIA GATE. It was built by the British in 1885, and was named after Queen Victoria. The gate is the main entrance into the city from the Grand Harbour area, which was once the […]

One of the gems at Mdina also known as Città Vecchia (Old City) , Città Notabile (Notable City) and Silent City, is no doubt the French Baroque palace rebuilt in 1726 by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena to designs of Charles François de Mondion – Palazzo Vilhena which houses the National Museum of Natural […]

One of the fascinating areas around the Maltese Islands is no doubt the West Coast of Malta which is less habitat and surrounded with vertical cliffs and pebble/sandy beaches. One of the cliffs around the rural village of Mgarr which is isolated from nearby towns and cities and is surrounded by farmland and vineyards is […]

One of the Excellent Passenger Boats Company around the Maltese Islands that apart from Gozo/Comino they do Harbour Tours or Harbour Cruise as its known are LUZZU CRUISES. You will embark the boat from Sliema Ferries and cruise inside Sliema Creek, around Manoel Island to Lazzaretto creek, better known as the yacht Marina, round Ta’ […]

One of the few shallow wreck dives in Malta, is the 1915 built 24 metre water lighter HMS X127 known as Carolita. Originally built as a landing craft she was converted into a water lighter and later again into a fuel lighter ferrying fuel for Royal Navy (RN) 10th Submarine flotilla. She’s one of the […]

One of only two surviving batteries on Gozo that was built by the Order of Saint John between 1731 and 1732 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands is the SAINT ANTHONY’S BATTERY at Qala. It was built by the Order of Saint John on the eastern […]

One of the buildings anyone will spot once you approach the sister island of Malta – Gozo , from Mgarr Harbour side is no doubt the Ta ‘Kenuna Tower. It is a semaphore tower on the cliffs of Nadur and it was built by the British in 1848, as one of three semaphore towers in Malta. The tower was […]

Christmas cribs form a great part of the Malta’s tradition. Maltese Christmas would not be the same without the traditional presepju (crib) and pasturi (nativity figures). Cribs are positively everywhere, from private houses, garages, small chapels to large churches. Visiting cribs is actually a popular activity at Christmas time. Many locals and tourists alike spend […]

The third advert in the series featured Coastal Forces , follows a flotilla of small boats in action, destroying a hulk somewhere off the coast. The narrator describes the action as the MTBs and MGBs separate to carry out attacks on the hulk, which is left sinking whilst the officers break out the tobacco. After […]

One of the Fortifications full of never ending history around the Maltese Islands is FORT SAINT ELMO (in Maltese as FORTI SANT’ IERMU) , situated at Valletta. Building it started in 1552 and it stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort […]

A total of 27 Dark Class Fast Attack Craft were ordered for the Royal Navy between December 1951 and January 1952 , but only 18 were completed, the remainder being cancelled in 1955. Fitted with 2 shaft Napier Deltic 16 cylinder diesels, the Dark Class were the first diesel engined fast patrol boats, the earlier […]

On Saturday 12th August 2006, 2  short sea ferryboats COMINOLAND and KARWELA were towed from Cassar Ship Repair Yard, Marsa to Ras il-Hobz, Gozo that is a submerged pinnacle also known as the Middle Finger, to be scuttled by the Gozo Tourism Association. The Pinnacle  is one of the most breathtaking dives in Gozo. The top of this pinnacle […]

One of the gems around the Maltese Islands is the TUNNARA MUSEUM which is housed in Westreme Battery, also known as ir-Rasus Battery or Mellieħa Right Battery, at the Northern Part of Malta – Mellieha. Westreme Battery was built between 1715 and 1716 as part of the Order of Saint John’s first building program of […]

On Saturday 3rd December, 2022 the 2021 built cruise liner RESILIENT LADY called at Grand Harbour, Malta during her maiden call and the first liner from Virgin Voyages passing breakwaters at 0715 hrs and berthing at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves, at the Valletta Cruise Port. She’s the third ship in Virgin Voyages Fleet and […]

Saturday 1st March. The Marina Militare Italiana Cassiopea Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ITS CASSIOPEA P 401 was the first naval unit to enter for the month of March and passed breakwaters at 0913 hrs since tugs were engaged with a Panamax Crude Oil Tanker Movement. Original eta was at 0800 but she exchanged VHF […]

On Wednesday 13th November, 2002 the 87-foot Protector Class boat, bought out of a $13 million grant made available to Malta under the US Securities Assistance Act of 2000 P 51 was handed over to the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) at the Maritime Squadron Base. The grant had been given for the purchase of […]

Monday 3rd February. The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HMS TRENT P 224 shifted from Hamilton Wharf North to South in front of Dock 3 with pilot onboard at 0830 hrs. More images can be found here – P224 HMS Trent – 12.02.2025 – Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos The […]

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN CVN 75  was involved in a collision with a 2002 built bulker near Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea last Wednesday 12th February night. It’s not clear what caused the collision between the carrier and the Panamanian flagged (PAN) bulker BESIKTAS-M, but the navy spokesperson said it […]

On Thursday 16th January, 2025 the hulk of the Navy’s last conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS JOHN F.KENNEDY CV 67 started her final voyage from the Navy’s Philadelphia Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility to Brownsville, Texas for dismantling. Shortly before 0900 hrs tugs assisted the hulk down the Delaware River and was attached via a tow […]

Friday 3rd January.  The Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) Bergamini Class Anti Submarine Frigate (FREMM) ITS ALPINO F 594 left Valletta passing breakwaters at 1031 hrs bound to the Mediterranean Sea to form part of Mare Sicuro Deployment. More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/f-594-its-alpino-03-01-2025/ Monday 6th January.  The Royal Navy Batch 2 River Class […]

On Thursday 23rd January, 2025 the Russian Navy Intelligence ship RFS KILDIN suffered an engine room fire while loitering off Syria’s coast last week. The incident was observed by French naval forces on Thursday but not reported until Monday. According to French radio station RFI,  she was spotted in Syrian territorial waters around 20 nautical […]

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) which coordinates and monitors security in the region issued two warnings on Friday, January 24, while reporting the authorities were investigating. One of them was from the 2011 built roro ship LIBERTY POWER which the master reported that the ship was approached by a small military craft around 0630 hrs […]

On Friday 17th January, 2025 the 2015 Dutch built and owned multi purpose (MPP) ship – EEMSLIFT HENDRIKA passed breakwaters at 0341 hrs assisted by 2 tugs, coming from Nice, France berthing Port Side alongside DWQ 2. With strong SE Force 7 winds in force the vessel’s captain together with StarClass Yacht Transport Personnel were […]

One of 3 floating docks operated by the Italian Navy or Marina Militare Italiana (MMI) – GO 53 sank in her place sitting on the seabed without injuries at Arsenale Militare, Augusta, Sicily during July 2024. The Marina Militare Arsenale of Augusta is located in the north-eastern area of ​​the Augusta harbour and is divided […]

The U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) only heavy icebreaker – USCGC POLAR STAR WAGB 10, left Sydney, Australia on Friday 27th December, 2024 to begin her Antarctic mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2025. The departure marks the vessel’s 28th voyage to Antarctica, where she will play a crucial role in resupplying U.S. research stations. Before leaving […]

Tuesday 3rd December .  The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Dock Landing Ship RFA MOUNTS BAY L 3008 left Valletta passed breakwaters at 1422 hrs assisted by 2 tugs from her berth at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves. (On another note she arrived home on Wednesday 18th December after she stopped at HMNB Gibraltar for few days) […]

The ONLY Syrian Navy  Ship  that called at Malta was the cadet training ship AL ASSAD during July 1994 berthing at Crucifix Wharf now Pinto Wharf. The Syrian Navy, officially the Syrian Arab Navy (Arabic: الْبَحْرِيَّةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Baḥrīyah al-ʿArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is the navy branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. The main role of […]

Shortly after the collapse of the Ba’athist regime led by President Bashar al-Assad  after a sudden and extremely successful offensive by the Syrian Opposition, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched an attack on various Syrian Fleet installations on Monday 9th December, 2024 via naval and air assets. According to media reports citing official statements, following the […]

One of the former naval vessels that was given a second life, converted as a yacht ALESUND  is the former Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakt) ship KV ALESUND W 312. During November 1995, the Norwegian Coast Guard ordered two purpose built chartered Fishery Protection Vessels with one of them chartered from Remoy Shipping – Alesund which […]