Atlit naval base

Atlit naval base is a classified Israeli Navy base on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel. The base is home to Shayetet 13, Israel's naval commando unit. Within its grounds stands Château Pèlerin, a medieval crusader fortress currently closed to the public.



In 2010, Israeli prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu visited the base to salute the commandos who took part in the Gaza flotilla raid.

Atlit Shipyard
Atlit Shipyard, a part of the Naval Shipyards (Israel) is also in the parameter of the base.

Establishment
After the establishment of Shayetet 13, the research and planning division of the Weapons Development Authority, began a project based on sabotage boats that were manufactured in Italy and which were used to sink Emir Farooq. A new model passed the tests in Shipyard until March 1954 and in April of that year it was tested by the Navy and its production began. In 1956 the boats entered operational use in the Navy.

Integration into Naval Shipyards
After the integration of Shayetet 13 into the Navy, the Shayetet 13 shipyard was subordinated to the Naval Shipyard. In 1958, bodies of pigs were developed by Lt. Col. Haim Shachel. The design was outsourced to the Orlight plant in Ness Ziona and in 1963 a molded fiberglass model was launched as a unified body and not composed of separate parts.

Covert Operations
Covert repairs and operations were also carried out in this shipyard.