The Royal Netherlands Navy is due to return to the Port of Tyne with the visit of the submarine HNLMS Walrus (Friday 18 April).
The 68m long submarine will spend four days at the Port’s Northumbrian Quay in North Shields, while her 50 strong crew will enjoy time in the North East.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has recently concluded a large tactical exercise which has seen a spate of visits to UK ports. In normal circumstances the Royal Netherlands Navy is deployed worldwide in the interests of ensuring security at sea, carrying out independent operations and assisting with crisis management tasks, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
HNLMS Walrus will be the first submarine to visit the Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay in ten years.
Mike Nicholson, Port of Tyne Harbour Master, said: “The Port regularly welcomes visiting naval vessels, which both add vibrancy to the riverscape and of course make a positive contribution to the local economy.
“The Walrus will surface outside of the piers and our pilots will guide her to the berth at Northumbrian Quay.”
In 2008 a 100 million euros programme to upgrade all four Walrus-class submarines was announced, which will see HNLMS Walrus operational until at least 2025.
The Walrus submarine will not be open to the public and is expected to sail at 1100h Monday 21 April.
[mappress] Press Release, April 17, 2014; Image: Wikimedia