A French military ship has arrived in Plymouth Friday 4 October for a diplomacy visit.
The French Naval survey ship FS La Perouse is berthed in HM Naval Base, Devonport, and received a visit from the French consul on arrival this morning.
The Royal Navy will give the commanding officer of the ship Lieutenant Commander Christophe Gaume an official reception on Monday when he is welcomed by Captain Garry Pettitt (Captain of the Base) at Devonport.
The pair will then exchange naval gifts.
Because the ship is a hydrographic vessel the crew will be liaising with the Royal Navy’s survey fleet which is based in Plymouth.
A spokesman for Devonport Naval Base said,
“The Royal Navy has ships visiting the huge French naval base in Brest fairly regularly and the Plymouth hosts French warships annually – so this visit is another example of strengthening well established ties with a long established ally.’’
[mappress] Press Release, October 09, 2013; Image: Royal Navy