Italian Navy Ship Docks In Halifax

The Italian warship San Giusto, on a midshipmen training tour, has made port at Halifax, Canada.

Brilliant sunlight and the cries of seagulls greeted the Italian amphibious ship San Giusto as it landed in Halifax Harbour on Wednesday morning.

The 133-metre warship, which is emblazoned with a motto that translates to "courage cannot fail when we are in the right," arrived shortly after 9 a.m. The ship is docked for a four-day visit as part of the annual training campaign of cadets.

Squinting at the bright morning, Cmdr. Stefano Frumento nodded in appreciation of the welcoming weather.

"We’ve been lucky," he said of the ship’s travels to Portugal, Bermuda, Boston and Norfolk, Va.

"For me, it’s the first time in Halifax. It’s a wonderful city," said Capt. Edoardo Giacomini.

The San Giusto left Italy on July 12 on a 2½-month training tour. It carries 92 second-year midshipmen, including 20 women and three foreign cadets.

"The overall goal of the campaign is to enhance the education of the young naval officers that we have on board," said Giacomini.

"This is the first experience for them with a navy warship. They will be introduced to naval skills, techniques and operational procedures. They will have the opportunity to test themselves in a sea environment while operating beside the crew."

At the end of the campaign, the midshipmen will be classified as official members of the Italian navy and carry the rank of ensign, he said.

[snip...]

The San Giusto has been in active service since 1994. Along with a flight deck and a hospital area, the ship has a floodable docking well, which allows it to take on water and deploy amphibious vehicles from the interior of the vessel.

It operates with a crew of 180 and can accommodate an additional 330 personnel. In addition, it can hold up to six medium-heavy helicopters on the flight deck and house 30 medium tanks or 36 tracked armoured vehicles.

The ship is also used for disaster relief operations, civil protection and humanitarian rescue efforts.

By: Shelldrake