weekend to the crews of two warships from their native country.

The submarine Psyche will come up for air in local waters this morning and head for Dockyard for refuelling.

Commanded by Lt. Cmdr. LeSpace Mentec, she will remain in Bermuda until next Tuesday. But she will not be open to visitors.

However, the light transport ship Francis Garnier , which will also arrive in Bermuda waters today, will be open for public tours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. She is due to leave on Monday.

The ship last visited Bermuda in 1978.

Although both visits are routine, it will be the last visit of a French warship to HMS Malabar before it closes at the end of next month.

"It is sad to note the closing of HMS Malabar, because they have been an enormous help over the years in receiving ships of the French Navy,'' said Honorary France Consul Mr. William Frith. "Their services have been of great value and they will be sadly missed.'' Mr. Frith said close to 50 French ships had visited the UK base since he became Honorary Consul in 1961.