Commander Fabrice Berthelot of the French Naval Vessel‘Commandant L’Herminier’, which anchored over the weekend at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, told journalists that the visit of the vessel to Freetown was to strengthen the relationship between France and Sierra Leone
According to Commander Berthelot, the visit “also lies” within the scope of their cooperation French unit which had been visiting the country since 2005 and that this current one might be an introduction to a long series of events in quick succession between both countries.
The visit of the vessel, the Commander explained, “is very important as we have not been frequently visiting this country and so the port becomes very important”.The 100-man crew vessel had the opportunity of meeting with the French ambassador, and the deputy Defence minister.
Commander Fabrice Berthelot further stated that the vessel which was built in 1981 had travelled to eight West Africa countries “and after this call, the corvette will transit towards Dakar Senegal where she will be relieved by French support vessel; ‘Jules Vernes’.”
This corvette, the Commander explained, had got extended warfare capacities against surface, air and sub-marine threats, and was able to take part to the four main strategic defence missions. He said, “this is a permanent mission of the French Navy, in West Africa between Nouakchott in Mauritania and Lusanda in Angelo, designed to counter crisis effects that could affect French nationals”.
“The L’Herminier is able to evacuate about 300 people for transit duration of 24 hours,” he noted adding that, “prevention also lies on warm cooperation with local and occidental navies that are deployed in the area. The aim is to be used to work together at sea, and could materialised in the near future through a common exercise with Leones navy.”The vessel which departed the shores of Freetown yesterday {Monday} has it home port I Brest in France in the West Coastal Region of Britany.
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