Tuesday the 30th of july, Netherlands navy ship Holland will visit St. Maarten. The Governor of St. Maarten will welcome the ship from Fort Amsterdam.
From 08:45 am to 09:15 am the new patrol vessel is entering the harbor of Phillipsburg and is passing Fort Amsterdam. This goes together with the traditional salute firing to the Flag of The Kingdom of the Netherlands and to the Governor of Sint Maarten.
HNLMS Holland is sailing as the support ship for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and has proven its worth in a variety of areas. Since her arrival in the Caribbean on the 14th of may, the ship’s crew intercepted three ships suspected of drug smuggling. They also assisted in a search and rescue case near the island of Aruba.
The ceremonial firing of a salute is an impressive navy tradition. This time it’s even more special by a historical fact. In 2013 the Royal Netherlands Navy celebrates its 525 anniversary.