Malta Naval Visits – FS JEANNE D’ARC R 97 – 19-23.04.2002
On Friday 19th April 2002 the French Navy Helicopter Carrier FS JEANNE D’ARC 97 together with the Georges Leygues Class Frigate FS GEORGES LEYGUES D 640 entered Grand Harbour for a diplomatic visit berthing at Pinto 4 and 5 wharves alongside each other with the helicopter carrier alongside berth. R 97 had 6 Helicopters Embarked […]
Breaking Up – Belgian Navy Command & Support Ship BNS GODETIA A 960 – September 2021.
On Friday 25th June, 2021 the Belgian Navy Command & Support Ship BNS GODETIA A 960 returned to Zeebrugge, Belgium after she completed her final deployment after spending 5 months patrolling the North Sea and the Baltic. 2 x Alouette III helicopters escorted BNS GODETIA as she entered Zeebrugge docks marking an end for both […]
Malta Naval Visits – BNS LEOPOLD I – 06.05.2021
The second naval unit to visit the Maltese Islands during 2021 was the Karel Doorman Class Frigate F 930 LEOPOLD I of the Marine Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. She was here on Thursday 6th May coming from Abu Dhabi passing breakwaters at 1014 hrs. Prior to 29th March 2007, the ship was known as HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN F […]
Naval Visits- FS D’ENTRECASTEAUX A 757 – 01 – 03.12.1999
On Wednesday 1st December 1999 the Marine Nationale (French Navy) Oceanographic and Hydrographic Ship FS D’ENTRECASTEAUX A 757 entered Grand Harbour, Malta for a 3 day Diplomatic Visit berthing port side alongside at Viset (now Valletta Cruise Port) Pinto 4 Wharf. She was laid down in July 1969, launched on 30th May 1970 by DCN […]
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION – EUROPA II had to return to Valletta due to immigrants mutiny aboard – 06.06.2020
The Italian built short sea ferry boat EUROPA II had to enter Grand Harbour, Malta on Saturday 6th June, 2020 after the 160 illegal immigrants threatened the crew aboard including putting the boat on fire by gathering sleeping bags with gas. She left Bunkering Area 4 of which she shifted from Hurd Bank around 1020 […]
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION – Spanish Fishing Vessel FRANCISCO Y CATALINA crisis with 51 rescued immigrants – July 2006.
On Friday 14th July 2006 the Spanish Gill Netter FRANCISCO Y CATALINA rescued 51 irregular migrants, all thought to be of Eritrean nationality, and attempted to seek permission to land them in Malta. Malta had refused permission on the basis that Malta had not been the territory closest to the point of recovery by the […]
Demolition Naval Vessels – BNS ZINNIA A 961 – 30.06.2007
A 961 BNS ZINNIA was a command and logistic support ship for mine countermeasures vessels, development of BNS GODETIA A 960. She was built in 1967 by Cockerill Yards, Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium as yard no 837. Her modifications throughout the years were setting of the bridge further aft, allowing a second supply hold and crane […]
AFM – Former RNAF Alouette III Helicopters at Malta – 20.09.2019
Last June 2019 preparations from the Netherlands to Malta were being made after the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) purchased 2 SA316B Alouette III helicopters completed with main rotor blades and engines. Discussions between the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF), AFM, NUNNER Logistics B.V – the ocean airfreight Operations in the Netherlands together with O&S […]
AFM – Missing Person Body Found – 08.09.2019
A dead man’s body was found off Malta’s western coast on Sunday 8th September morning, following an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) helicopter search that began on Saturday. The body is believed to be that of a man who ran into trouble while swimming in the Miġra l-Ferħa, Mtahleb. He was later identified as a […]
Casualties – Yacht SPALMATORI caught fire at Malta – 26.08.1993
On Thursday 26th August, 1993 a 50 metre yacht SPALMATORI who was anchored at Mellieha Bay, Malta was destroyed in fire and finished as a hulk. The 1950 Norwegian built and 1985 converted, 50 metre LBR flag yacht SPALMATORI sent a distress call on VHF Ch 12 around 0550 hrs of which PTSS {Palace Tower […]
