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 Brest in France and was commissioned on 10th October 1970 with a displacement of 2,350 tons. She was 95.07 metres long with a beam of 13.20 metres and maximum draught of 4.20 metres. With 2 shafts she was powered by 2 SACM-Wärtsilä UD33V12 diesel engines with maximum speed of 15 knots. Her complement included 78 naval personnel and 38 scientists. She can take soundings and surveys to a depth of 5,000 metres. She also had a platform and hangar for Alouette III helicopter. Her radio callsign was FATU.
She left Grand Harbour, Malta on the morning of Friday 3rd December, 1999.
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Monday 22nd March ,2021.