It all began on April 18 when the frigate, a replica of the La Fayette, set sail on its maiden voyage to America. Led by Commander Yann Cariou, 80 men and women of the crew, most of them volunteers, took part in this adventure. After a voyage of four months and 16 stopovers, the great voyage is over. The Hermione returned to the port of Rochefort on Saturday, August 29, after a last stopover in Bordeaux, from which she left on August 26.
A large number of visitors were present to welcome the sailing ship and all her crew. In the first line, the members of the Hermione La Fayette association who were finally able to make their dream come true, 17 years after the beginning of the construction. Also present was the Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, who greeted the arrival of the boat.
The Hermione stranded at Rochefort
From then on, the Hermione was in the refit area of Rochefort. But as soon as she arrived, she was already grounded because of a leak in the door ship. Indeed, to enter the harbor of Rochefort, the frigate must do so at high tide. Once the ship is in its form, the door-boat blocks the water in the form and thus allows the ship to float. However, the water was able to get out of the form and leave the frigate at the bottom of the hold. To better understand how a door boat works, watch the video below.
What future for the Hermione and her crew?
Arrived in Rochefort, the Hermione will now be open for visits, and from this August 31. A new tour circuit has been set up. She will be disarmed for a major maintenance.
She will sail again in 2016, for the Fêtes Maritimes de Brest, where she will be the guest of honor.
On the other hand, the association is also working on a new big trip but not before two years. As for the volunteers, each one will go back to his studies or to his job. Concerning the crew, their contract is still running and they will certainly take part in the next great voyage of the frigate. Even if a core group will stay with the boat to maintain it, the other professional crew members will have to find another boat for this year.
