The French ship FS Commandant l’Herminier leaves on her way home
Farewell to the French ship FS Commandant l’Herminier
Last weekend, the French ship Commandant l’Herminier left operation SOPHIA task force. Leaving Brest on the 3 of November and being on duty in the EUNAVFOR MED force since the 12th of November as the operation’s contribution to the UN arms embargo, in accordance with the UNSCR 2292 (2016). During her time in the operation, l’Herminier was involved in several activities regarding the contribution to the UN arms embargo: 15 vessels queried, 2 friendly approaches, one flag enquiry. This allowed the force also to better understand the pattern of life of the vessels transiting off the coast of Libya in the high seas.
For one French ship leaving, one French ship is joining. Soon, the Commandant l’Herminier sister ship Commandant Birot will be part of operation SOPHIA.
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA’s core mission is to disrupt the business model of human traffickers and smugglers, no less, saving life at sea is both a moral and international law obligation. Thus far, in fact, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 101-suspected smugglers and traffickers have been prosecuted by the Italian authorities and 358 boats have been prevented from being re-used by smugglers. Operation SOPHIA’s ships had carried on 267 events related to the contribution to the UN arms embargo.