The Combat Support Ship HNLMS Den Helder arrived in Curaçao October 20. The navy’s newest acquisition will be in the Caribbean for warm-weather trials until mid-next month.
The high humidity and high seawater temperatures provide ideal conditions for testing how the ship and its installations respond to these conditions.
According to tradition, the ship fired a 21-gun salute. This was done as a tribute to the flag of the Kingdom and to the Governor of Curaçao. The Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean and the Acting Governor of Curaçao were present. The salute was returned with an equal number of guns from Fort Krommelijn.
HNLMS Den Helder was christened by Princess Amalia on February 22nd of this year and commissioned on October 1st. The supply ship’s mission is to supply other naval vessels with fuel, spare parts, food, and ammunition.
The navy currently has two of this type of ship in its inventory. The other is HNLMS Karel Doorman.