Algerian naval ship at Poole

The Algerian navy’s Kalaat Beni Hammed (pennant number 472) arrived at the Dorset port of Poole on 8 May and berthed alongside South Quay for several days to load a helicopter.

The 93m landing ship tank was laid down by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft, UK, in October 1981 and entered service three years later, and is equipped with a 75m x 7.4m vehicle storage area accessed by 18m x 4.5m fore and 5x4m aft ramps, as well as a helicopter deck.

Coincidentally, her flight deck lighting was installed by Poole-based Aeronautical & General Instruments (now Trident Maritime Systems) during a previous refit in Spain.

Sistership Kalaat Beni Rashed (473) was also British-built by Vosper-Thorneycroft of Woolston.

Report and photo by Kevin Mitchell