On-Board Reports: PHA Tonnerre
A two-day immersion programme aboard the PHA Tonnerre for ENSM cadets.
Building on the close ties between the Merchant Navy and the French Navy, on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September, eight third-year multi-role officer cadets from the ENSM had the opportunity to experience a fully immersive programme aboard the amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) Tonnerre.
Accompanied by Gaëtan Spano and Marc Balicchi, lecturers at the ENSM’s Marseille campus, these cadets shared the crew’s daily routine during two particularly intense days of training.
The programme included, in particular, the deployment of visual defence systems, the use of propulsion systems in degraded mode, and port manoeuvres under threat. The students were also able to observe counter-attack drills conducted against members of the SeaOwl company, a partner of the defence forces, as well as impressive night-time firing exercises.
The highlight of the visit was an insight into aviation and amphibious operations, two of the vessel’s key specialities. In particular, the group observed an exercise simulating the evacuation of foreign nationals before descending to the deck to board an EDAS-type barge directly during a boarding manoeuvre.
The students also joined the watch teams, both on the bridge and in the engine room, and took part in a fire-fighting drill. The visit to the operations centre was another particularly memorable highlight of this immersive experience.
“This experience allowed us to discover the life of sailors on board a warship. During this trip, we realised that the merchant navy and the Royal Navy share many similarities, particularly when it comes to life as part of a crew. However, the commercial activities associated with our future profession differ profoundly from the missions carried out by the military.” – Tancrède
“This time on board was very enriching, both on a personal and technical level. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at military operations will remain a highlight of our time at the college.” – Alexis
The ENSM would like to extend its warmest thanks to Commander Arnaud Bolelli for authorising this visit on board, as well as to his entire crew for their exceptional hospitality and the time they devoted to the students: Jeanne, Tess, Sacha, Étienne, Guillaume, Eliot, Alexis and Tancrède.