UK Royal Navy ship visits Haifa on goodwill visit

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The British Royal Navy's warship HMS St. Albans docked in Israel's northern port city of Haifa Wednesday for a one-day goodwill visit. This was the first visit to Haifa by a Royal Navy ship since 2001. Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Dainton, said that he was "delighted my ship and sailors had the opportunity to visit the Port of Haifa. I think that the visit is an indication of the continuing good relations between our two navies, and indeed, our two countries." Commander Dainton then paid an official visit to the Municipality of Haifa. Before raising anchor, the crew of HMS St. Albans showed a group of some 40 Israel Navy sailors around the warship. The Israeli sailors were particularly impressed by the size of the galley that serves the 190 British crew members. Much of the crew then spent the day enjoying the Spring weather and touring around the Galilee. In the evening, dozens of guests enjoyed an official reception by the commanding officer on the ship's flight deck. Haifa was one stop in HMS St. Albans' tour of the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. The ship will pass through the Suez Canal and into the Gulf region where she will be involved with coalition operations and the maintenance of security in the area.