French Navy’s vessel FNS ALBATROS (P681) arrived at Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront on 3 June 2015.
A French delegation visited Naval Base Simon’s Town to pay a courtesy call to Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Rear Admiral (JG) J.T. Dlamini. These were M. Xavier d’Argoeuves from the Consul of France, Colonel Olivier de Charnace, the Defence Attachè and Commander Riaz Akhoune, Commanding Officer, FNS ALBATROS. During the courtesy call they exchanged information regarding the French and South African Navies respectively, referring to ships and units.
FNS ALBATROS is a patrol vessel which was formerly a fishing boat from the “NEVE” fishing company, owned by the Normandie-pêches firm. The ship was built in 1967 in the Trait shipyard of La Ciotat and later bought by the French Navy in April 1983. The boat was transformed in Toulon, where fishing facilities were removed and replaced with units, artillery and electronic equipment.
The mission of this patrol vessel fulfills a specified range of operational needs in particular the patrol and control of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the Southern French region and assistance to French fishing flotillas in the area.
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Image: SA Navy