French Navy's Tahiti-Bound POM Patrol Vessel Finishes First Sea Trials

Philippe Bernardino, the French Navy's fifth Félix Éboué-class overseas patrol vessel, completed its first sea trials from September 28 to October 1 between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais. Crew and Socarenam personnel checked propulsion operating modes and calibrated navigation instruments during the four-day campaign. The 1,300-tonne, 79.9-meter vessel will remain around Calais until mid-December for further outfitting and hull work, with another trial period planned for late November. It will subsequently proceed to Brest before deployment to Papeete, French Polynesia, although the Navy has not announced a firm delivery date.