The French Navy Ship, "L.V. LE HENAFF", will pay a routine call to the port of Tema from June 25 to 28, 2002 in the course of her regular missions along the West Coast of Africa. The purpose of the visit according to a press release from the French Embassy, is to reinforce ties between France and Ghana.
Named after a seaman hero of the Resistance, "L.V. LE HENAFF", which was commissioned on February 13, 1980, is the ninth of the French batch of 17 avisos A69, which are specialised for shallow waters and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). They are tough, economical and easy to manoeuvre and carry out various missions during peacetime or crisis periods, such as nuclear ballistic submarine support and protection, surveillance and defence of national maritime approaches and French interests in the world. They also take part in public service activities (fishing, police, pollution control, sea rescue etc).
The release said "L.V. LE HENAFF" recently took part in a mission of inspection of a ship suspected to be involved in drug trafficking and when it refused to stop, the aviso received orders from the Prime Minister, himself, to fire cannonballs, a rare occurrence during peacetime.
"L.V. LE HENAFF" has a staff of 7 officers, 59 petty officers and a 25 member crew. She has been under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Jean-Michel Frugone since February 8, 2002.
