AUSTRALIA
Australia is hosting a French polar patrol ship on its annual summer resupply mission to support research in the Antarctic.
French Antarctic resupply ship L’Astrolabe (pictured) will visit Fremantle, Western Australia from today until late October to conduct essential maintenance at Henderson before continuing on its journey to the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters.
L’Astrolabe, which is crewed by French Naval personnel for this deployment, will then head to Tasmania, where she will be based out of Hobart over summer while conducting her resupply operations.
The polar patrol vessel has been coming to Australia to conduct her Antarctic resupply missions since 2017.
Australia will ensure all COVID-19 safety measures are met during the visit, the Australian Department of Defence said in a statement today.
Western Australia health authorities have approved the COVID Management Plan for L’Astrolabe’s arrival into Australia and quarantine at HMAS Stirling.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, said the Royal Australian Navy values its strong partnership with French Navy, Marine Nationale.
“We are always pleased to welcome back L’Astrolabe on her annual summer resupply mission,” Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said.
“MV L’Astrolabe and her French Navy crew were instrumental in assisting the Australian Antarctic Division with the resupply mission to Macquarie Island during the 2019-20 Australian summer period.”
