A wonderful farewell for the Florence Arthaud class of multi-skilled officer cadets (2020-2025)! 🌊
A wonderful farewell for the Florence Arthaud class of multi-skilled officer cadets (2020-2025)! 🌊
On 19 December, as part of the graduation ceremony, the officer cadets had the opportunity to invite their loved ones to join them for their final day as students at the ENSM.
The morning’s programme included a tour of the ENSM site in Le Havre. Accompanied by the future officers, their families were able to visit the classrooms, the ship in school and the bridge simulator.
A group photo in the hall marked the start of the procession to the venue for the certificate award ceremony, the Pasino in Le Havre.
Véronika Rous, Director of the ENSM site in Le Havre, opened the ceremony by emphasising their attachment to the seafaring community, which shares the same spirit of brotherhood, and Florence Arthaud’s legacy of passion and courage. François Lambert, Director General of the ENSM, shared his great honour at standing before the graduating class, already feeling a touch of nostalgia at seeing them leave, and assured them of how fortunate they are to be embarking on a maritime career.
The organising team, represented by Zoé Leprêtre, Nathan Buchholz and Thomas Cordier-Cotten, thanked the administration and families for their support, the students for bringing this school and this class to life for five and a half years, and everyone who helped organise this wonderful graduation ceremony. A special mention was made of Thierry Champion, chosen as Guest of Honour by the graduating class and teacher of naval mechanics, former Director of the ENSM site in Marseille and former Director of Studies at the ENSM, who is retiring.
Thierry Champion then gave a poignant speech, wishing the officers a rich and wonderful career in navigation and himself a happy retirement. He recalled an essential truth: the Merchant Navy is one big family, and once you join this united family, you never leave it. ‘Go where you want to go and be proactive!’
Caroline Galland, patroness, and Ty Fût, patron of the graduating class, then took the floor to wish them fair winds and following seas.
The shipowners and partner associations of the event then took turns expressing their feelings and encouragement.
The presentation of scrolls by the professors saw the 119 future multi-skilled officers take to the stage, before the young tradition of the ‘Marmar d’Or’ brought the ceremony to a splendid close.
It was then time for cocktails and finally the closing party, organised by the student group.
Fair winds and following seas! âš“
Photo credits: Quentin Holley
