13.09.2011
Text:
Photo: French minesweeper
Céphée. Baltic Fleet Information Support Group
The ships practiced search and detection of mines by sonar and remotely-controlled mine seeker, tactical maneuvering, and underway transshipment. Drills were held in severe gale conditions; there was 4-grade sea disturbance in the Baltic.
BF search-and-rescue helicopter
Ka-27PS was also involved in the maneuvers and had a training task to assist crew of a distressed vessel. Allegedly, a French sailor was in need of emergency medicine.
A rescuer lowered from the helicopter on a winch on board the French ship, and evacuated the "sufferer" to harbor minesweeper
Sergei Kolbasiev for medical aid. Then the sailor was returned to
Céphée by the same means.
Russian and French approaches to mine search and detection differs. That is why there were experience exchange groups aboard both ships.
On French minesweeper
Céphée was a group of Russian servicemen headed by BF Harbor Defense Ship Division Capt 1 rank Pavel Prosekov. French colleagues demonstrated capabilities of remotely-controlled mine seeker during search, detection, and identification of underwater objects. Russian minesweeper
Sergei Kolbasiev performed analogous operations by sonar.
Upon termination of the joint exercise, there was a summary briefing on board minesweeper
Céphée. French servicemen thanked Russian counterparts for hospitality and professional teamwork of
Sergei Kolbasiev's crew during joint maneuvers.
On Sept 9 French Navy's minesweeper
Céphée left Russian territorial waters. The ship is going to call at ports Kiel and Seebrucke, and then will return to permanent basing site in Brest (France).
