Commander Bouan in Irini (v2)
(B2) The French high seas patrol vessel (PHM in maritime jargon) Commandant Bouan (F-797) joined the European operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini at the end of November in charge of monitoring the arms and oil embargo off the coast of Libya. It is the fourth French building to participate in the operation since the launch of the operation in 2020.
The ship made a operational break at the Italian Navy's military base in Augusta, Sicily, which serves as the rear logistics base for the European operation. Objective : " install the specific information and command system for the operation “indicates the national navy. NB: A necessity to communicate well with the rest of the ships, and especially with the command of the operation located in Rome.
The stopover was also used to complete training. A dedicated training program has thus been organised, with an exercise to visit a suspect vessel, the review of communication procedures and the report. NB: Normally known procedures to which marines have been introduced. But this ultimate exercise makes it possible to integrate all European specificities. The patrol boat then went back to sea on November 20 to reach its area of action.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Update: Commander Bouan will only have stayed in the area for a short month. He completed his mission just before Christmas, on December 18, we learn from the HQ of the maritime operation in Rome. Just the day after a 'muscular' inspection of a suspect ship by the Greek frigate. Read : Inspection of a suspected arms transport vessel off the coast of Libya
