FRENCH WARSHIP PATROLS FSM WATERS

December 22, 2005

By Tom Burkindine
The Kaselehlie Press

The French frigate FS Prairial patrolled Pohnpei's waters between December 8 and 10 as a show of interest in the region. The boat, commanded by Captain Alexis Latty, has been visiting waters in the central and western Pacific region for three months, promoting good relations with various countries.

The French frigate FS Prairial patrolled Pohnpei's waters between December 8 and 10 as a show of interest in the region. The boat, commanded by Captain Alexis Latty, has been visiting waters in the central and western Pacific region for three months, promoting good relations with various countries.

As a warship, Latty said the Prairial is allowed to stop boats who do not answer their calls, do not have proper flags flown, illegally trafficking people, piracy, or running illegal radio operations. While in Pohnpei waters, Latty said the crew worked closely with Pohnpei's patrol boats, part of France's multi-lateral agreement to increase the level of cooperation and be able to more freely check vessels.

The visit was the third the French Navy has made to Pohnpei since 2003. The Prairial is a 307-foot surveillance frigate and carried a crew of 92 when it visited Pohnpei. The boat's homeport is Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia, and its primary purpose is to patrol overseas maritime zones over which France implements its sovereignty.