French Navy Ship comes calling

French Navy Ship comes calling

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Details: Parent Category: Oct 2011; Category: Week ending Oct 15th, 2011; Hits: 616

Grenada played host to one of the French Navy Frigates, Ventose over a four-day period.

The visit of the ship, which is based in Martinique, is part of the strengthening of relationship between Grenada and France.

Members of the media were hosted on board the ship last week Friday during which French Ambassador for the OECS, Michel Prom spoke of Grenada’s relationship with France.

Ambassador Prom who is based in St. Lucia said the presence of a ship from the French Navy is a sign of cooperation between the French-speaking Caribbean countries of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and the rest of the Caribbean.

He stressed that France shares the same concern regarding security against disasters, as well as security against different problems.

The French Ambassador described the relationship between Grenada and France as being very good.

“The relations are traditionally, historically and culturally very close... We share a common history, and this cooperation has always been very fruitful,” he said.

Ambassador Prom noted that in the area of culture, Grenada and France have developed a close cooperation in which Grenadians are able to learn the French Language.

He also said that in the recent past, France has also participated in different projects including environment issues.

Commanding Officer of the Navy Ship, Matthieu Douillet pointed out that the main missions of the ship are to conduct surveillance of the economic zone in the area, and to help in some operations including disaster relief.

Commander Douillet said the vessel also engages in a number of co-operations with the Coast Guards and navies of other countries in the region.

Specifically, in the case of Grenada, he indicated that the trip to the island is part of the frequent port visits that are done in the region.

“Navy ships are a tool to improve relationships between the nations, so whenever we come to a port, this is an occasion to get together with local authorities and improve these relationships,” Commander Douillet said.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Commissioner of Police-Designate, Willan Thompson were among the local officials who met with Ambassador Prom and crew members of the Ventose.

The ship, which has just about one hundred sailors on board, has been stationed in Martinique for the past 18 years, and according to Captain Douillet it is very familiar with the Caribbean Sea.

The ship has been at sea for two weeks before arriving in Grenada.

Its specific missions this time around are to control maritime areas, to fight against narcotic trafficking, and search and rescue at sea.

The crew is assigned for a duration of two to three years. Members of the crew comprise 12 Officers, 60 petit officers, and 25 to 30 seamen.