I served on HMAV Arakan from 1986 to 1988, last time I saw any of the vessels was at the 50th anniversary of D Day celebrations in France.

What happened to them?

Bob - Ex R Sigs

think they got replaced by summat a bit more stylish mate, but probably just the same old "chuggers" they always were, check out this thread for picys.

come to think of it, ARAKAN, ARROMANCHES< ARDENNES, ARREZZO, ANTWERP, were all Singapore flotilla, had some good runs ashore wi some of their lads, They were all on a Trot at Pulau Brani, and uised to ramp down at Tanjong Belayer hard.

Both ships were decomissioned around 97. Last seen tied up in Kent. As for being replaced by something more stylish no chance of that.

I last saw both Ardennes & arakan tied up in the disused HMS dolphin in 1999 , I heard on the grape vine that they went to peru to be used as car ferries............. ( no change there then ). Shame I loved serving on those vessels.

Both ships are (still) moored up in Lowestoft. Try Google Maps at "http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Harbour+Rd,+Lowestoft,+Suffolk+NR 32,+United+Kingdom&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.030273,27.37793&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_e n&cd=1&geocode=0,52.476814,1.717602&ll=52.475566,1 .729832&spn=0.001387,0.003342&t=h&z=19" to see them.
The satellite photo shows both ships alongside, where they have been for several years. They supposedly were sold off to be converted for oil exploration in Nigeria, but never left Lowestoft. They look pretty sorry nowadays. According to the harbour masters' office, they are still waiting to be transported to Africa ... ...
PAW - OC HMAV Ardennes 1994/97.

Was it right that an inexperienced officer brought a certain HMAV into shallow waters off the East Coast of our fair isles on an EX in 1997/8'ish. The outcome being one very badly damaged hull.

I heard this story within a short period of time of it 'supposedly' happening. I've often wondered if there was any truth in it?

Edited for being in a time warp.

I was on MPC(A) with the marine engineer/electrician from the Arakan in '95, what a top bloke shuggy was!

Originally Posted by Detmolderstrasse

Was it right that an inexperienced officer brought a certain HMAV into shallow waters off the East Coast of our fair isles on an EX in 1997/8'ish. The outcome being one very badly damaged hull.

I heard this story within a short period of time of it 'supposedly' happening. I've often wondered if there was any truth in it?

Edited for being in a time warp.

I was serving onboard Arakan (may she rest in peace) 97-99 (I was the last serving Royal Signals solder onboard) and I don't remember having any accident like that and I don't remember Ardennes having any accident either?? Then again, my memory is not what it used to be! Definately not the Arakan though..

Well I heard on the grapevine that one of my old Sqn 2i/c's who had ties to 79 railway Sqn grounded one same story?