ARGONAUTE

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One tank recovered

After the loss of six tanks by a merchant ship on Dec 5, the crew of the 'Argonaute', accompanied by four clearance divers from the French Navy, managed to strap one tank on Dec 6 and then hoist it up and place it on the rear deck of the ship. The vessel arrived in the military port of Cherbourg early in the afternoon. The 8-meter--tank would remain stored there until the administrative procedures carried out with the shipowner for its treatment have been completed. The five other tanks have still not been able to be relocated. Aerial and maritime surveillance was maintained in conjunction with the CROSS Jobourg and the maritime prefecture. Report with photo: https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/perte-de-cargaison-a-l-entree-du-dispositif-de-separation-du-trafic-dst-des-casquets-50-cp-n-02

Search for lost tanks

The 'Argonaute' along with a H160 helicopter of the French Navy, based in Maupertus and a Falcon 50 aircraft of the French Navy, based in Lann-Bihoué, was deployed in the night of Nov 4, after a commercial ship declared to the CROSS Jobourg the loss of six empty and open tanks, eight meters long each and made of stainless steel, more than 60 kilometrs west of the Hague. The weather conditions were northwest winds of more than 40 kilometers with heavy seas, and the merchant ship quickly lost sight of the tanks. Consequently, the CROSS Jobourg transmited safety messages via VHF radio to warn vessels present in the area and thus avoid a risk of collision with the tanks. An AVURNAV was also issued by the maritime prefecture in order to warn of the danger. Only one tank could be located in the afternoon of Dec 5. The crew of the 'Argonaute' tried to take it in tow several times, due to the bad weather, before heading towards Cherbourg. As the weather conditions deteriorated further, the towing wire broke, causing the tank to go adrift once again. The crew of the 'Argonaute' was unable to recover the object, but monitored its movement in south-eastearn direction, until the shallow depths of the rocky area around the island of Alderney no longer permitted it. The Channel Islands Coastguard then took over, and the tank was again located near Raz Blanchard. A new towing attempt by the 'Argonaute' was therefore planned. Reports with photos: https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/un-navire-perd-six-cuves-au-large-de-la-hague-f1710e6e-937e-11ee-acd4-3231fc8195a7 https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/perte-de-cargaison-a-l-entree-du-dispositif-de-separation-du-trafic-dst-des-casquets-50

46 migrants rescued from two boats

In the night of Dec 1, 2023, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that two migrant boats were in difficulty off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer and deployed the 'Argonaute' to the first boat. The crew recovered 24 people, who were dropped off in the morning at the port of Boulogne sur Mer, where they are taken care of by the land rescue services and the Border Police. At the same time, the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the hydrographic vessel 'Borda' of the French Navy to assist a second boat in difficulty. The crew recovered 22 people with slight hypothermia who were cared for by the on-board medical team. The rest of the people on the boat refused the assistance offered. Given the risks incurred by migrants in the event of restrictive actions to force them to board state rescue resources such as falling overboard, thermal shock, various trauma, it was decided to let them continue their voyage. Surveillance was maintained on the boat by the 'Borda'. In the middle of the day, the ship headed towards the port of Boulogne sur Mer. When they arrived at the dock, the castaways were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police.