Doorman of Holland.

On a routine visit to Hamilton, the 3,320-ton Dutch frigate was docked along Front Street and at HMS Malabar from last Friday until yesterday.

The purpose of the visit was crew rest and relaxation and to hand over the duties of Netherlands West Indies Guardship to HNLMS Willem van der Zaan. The Willem van der Zaan arrived in Bermuda on Monday and was berthed alongside the Karel Doorman at HMS Malabar.

The Karel Doorman, which attracted a great deal of attention during her short stay at Front Street, was launched by Queen Beatrix of Holland in 1988.

A Type-M (or Multipurpose) frigate, the ship can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots and has a total crew of 156, including 16 officers, 32 chief petty officers and 108 corporals and ratings. Her captain is Commander G.D. den Hollander.

The arrival of the Karel Doorman and the Willem van der Zaan marks the second and third visits of a Dutch frigate to Bermuda in the last two years.

In July 1992, the HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes docked here during her sea acceptance trials.

In taking over as Netherlands West Indies Guardship, the Willem van der Zaan will now be based in Curacao.

DUTCH VISITOR -- The HNLMS Karel Doorman which was berthed along Front Streetearlier this week.