F931 LOUISE MARIE

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Red Sea mission postponed after rocket got stuck in launcher

The 'Louise-Marie' will not sail to the Red Sea for the time being. The reason for the postponement was an incident during training in which a rocket got stuck in a launch tube. The 'Louise-Marie' had left Zeebrugge on March 10, 2024, to take part in the European operation against the Houthi rebels. On April 12, the ship was due sail from Crete, via the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, to become part of the Operation Aspides and also contribute to Operation Agenor, which aims to increase security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Last week a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missile became stuck in the launch tube during a drone downing exercise,. The other defenses present on the ship would also have failed to shoot down the practice drone. The 'Louise-Marie' and her 170-person crew will continue their preparatory training indefinitely with the Red Sea mission therefore being postponed indefinitely. The ship's commander, Captain Helena Vande Gaer, and the general staff have decided to extend the frigate's training period. The technical shortcomings are being analyzed and the necessary adjustments will be made with a view to continuing the assignment.

Unconscious crew member medevaced off Heligoland

On March 1, 2023, at 7:20 a.m. the Belgian frigate "Louise-Marie", which was sailing in the German Bight around 13 nautical miles southwest of Heligoland, reported a medical emergency. A crew member had just been found unconscious. The on-board doctor urgently recommended evacuating the patient to a hospital ashore. Dense fog initially prevented the Navy from deploying an SAR helicopter. The MRCC in Bremen then alerted the lifeboat "Anneliese Kramer" in Cuxhaven. The crew took emergency paramedics from the Cuxhaven fire brigade on board in order to be able to take care of the patient on the return journey. The "Louise-Marie" headed towards the "Anneliese Kramer". The two ships rendezvoused at around 8:30 a.m. around 25 nautical miles north-west of Cuxhaven. The lifeboat went alongside the frigate to drop the paramedics off on board. They took over the care of the patient from the on-board doctor, who was still unconscious. They stabilized the man medically for air transport. Since the fog had cleared in the meantime, an SAR helicopter arrived at the frigate in the course of the morning. In consultation with the crew of the helicopter, the patient was secured on a stretcher for hositing. At around 10 a.m., the man and an emergency paramedic from the Cuxhaven fire brigade were winched into the Navy helicopter. The helicopter flew the man to Wilhelsmhaven for medical care in a hospital. Report with photo: https://www.seenotretter.de/aktuelles/seenotfaelle/seenotretter-helfen-bewusstlosem-marinesoldaten

EU Naval Force frigate rescues ten sailors - transfered to BNS Louise Marie

Early morning on Jan. 16,2013 EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) warship FS Surcouf came to the rescue of ten mariners at sea 30 miles off the Somali Coast, after their boat, known as a dhow, started to sink into the deep ocean. The master of the Indian flagged dhow had sent out a distress call after the dhow’s engine failed and the vessel started letting in water. Upon hearing the distress call, FS Surcouf, which was conducting counter piracy patrols 26 nautical miles away, raced to assist the mariners, who by now had ‘abandoned ship’ in rough seas and climbed into the dhow’s life raft. Upon arrival at the scene, a team of sailors from Surcouf helped to evacuate the men to the French warship. Once onboard, the men, who were in deep shock and very relieved to be rescued, were offered hot showers, food and dry clothes. Forty five minutes after being rescued, the mariners watched as their stricken dhow disappeared into the sea. After taking time to recover onboard Surcouf, the 10 mariners were then transferred to EU NAVFOR warship, Belgium frigate BNS Louise Marie, for their onward journey to land.