The Hermione, the replica of Lafayette's ship, will set sail in less than a month for her grand voyage to the United States. For its sea trials, carried out last autumn, the frigate had obtained provisional authorizations. Today, she can officially begin her Atlantic crossing. She has just obtained her "Certificat National de Franc Bord" issued by Bureau Veritas and her "Certificat d'aptitude à la Navigation" by the Direction des Affaires Maritimes. The Hermione will therefore be able to take to the sea in optimum safety conditions.
These documents confirm the quality of construction of the boat, which will have lasted 17 years. Thanks to the exchanges between the association and these two bodies, the Hermione retains the historicity of the boat, but with the highest level of safety today.
The grand departure will take place on April 18th
On 18 April, the Hermione will leave Charente-Maritime for her first voyage to the United States. For the occasion, the association's partner communities are organising a big party for the public to greet the ship before her departure. A 360° fireworks display will be fired simultaneously from 7 sites. To add to the enchantment, 90 spotlights will illuminate the fire belt at the same time as the pyrotechnics show, in Fouras-les-Bains, on the island of Aix, in Port-des-Barques and in Saint-Nazaire sur Charente. This great show will be visible from all the coast of Rochefort Océan.
The festivities will start in the afternoon with concerts, dances and shows organised throughout the day.
For the occasion, other legendary boats will be alongside the Hermione to pay tribute to her. You will find the Belem, the Nao Victoria, the frigate Latouche Tréville, the Recouvrance..
The program
4:00 pm : Departure from the anchorage on the island of Aix and up the Charente river
6 p.m.: Half-turn of the Hermione around Soubise, to reach the roadstead of the island of Aix around 8 p.m.
8:30 pm: The Hermione reaches its anchorage on the Ile d'Aix.
9:30 p.m.: Sound and light show and pyrotechnics. The belt of fire lights up and the sky ignites to greet the departure of the frigate.
10:30 p.m.: Course for the USA!
