|
a |
Maritime Security News - France, Mediterranean Sea |
|
|
|
|
French
Navy Patrol Vessel Saves 217 Migrants in the Mediterranean Sea Off Libya |
|
The
French Navy announced its Commandant Birot Offshore Patrol
Vessel assisted three vessels reported in distress on the high seas,
north of the Libyan coast. This rescue mission was conducted under the
responsibility of the maritime rescue coordination center (MRCC) of
Rome, Italy. |
|
Some of
the refuges on board Command Birot OPV. Close to 6000 migrants
were rescued in the Mediterranean sea this past weekend alone. Picture:
French Navy
|
Upon
arrival on theater, the French Navy OPV rescued dozens of stranded migrants
and intercepted two suspected "smugglers". At the end, 217
people were taken in by the crew of the patrol vessel. Two castaways
were supported by the French military doctor and nurse on board.
The OPV then sailed to an Italian port indicated by the MRCC Rome. When
they arrived on land, rescued and smugglers will be presented to the
Italian authorities.
According to several media reports, close to 6000 migrants were rescued
in the Mediterranean sea this past weekend alone. The ten bodies were
also found.
Since the decision of the European Council on 23 April 2015 to strengthen
the presence of the European Union at sea, France made available to
the FRONTEX one of its vessels. The Commandant Birot joined
on April 27 the area of the Triton operation where he patrols in an
area stretching from south of Sicily in southern Italy. |
|
The Commandant
Birot Offshore Patrol Vesselo of the French Navy.
Picture: Marine nationale / Robert Dal Soglio
|
|
Commandant
Birot belongs to the "A69 type" Avisos, D'Estienne d'Orves-class.
They are small vessels originaly designed for coastal anti-submarine
defence and high sea escort missions. A total of 17 ships of this class
were built. Starting in 2011, the French Navy modified 9 vessels of
this class to turn them into OPVs. Most of the weapons systems (anti-ship
missiles and torpedo launchers) are taken off as a consequence. |