French Navy Patrol Vessel Saves 217 Migrants in the Mediterranean Sea Off Libya

: Posted On Monday, 04 May 2015 09:55

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 Russian Navy just announced that the Pacific Fleet (PF) Coastal Troops’ formation held the first launch from the new missile system ‘Bal’, which came into the brigade’service at the end of last year. The Coastal Troop Division, having made a 200-kilometer march from its home station, deployed on the move on an unequipped position and conducted a missile launch against waterborne target.

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.