After an initial stopover in Nantes at the beginning of October, listeners to the 6e session on "Maritime issues and strategies" sailed over the web to Toulon on 20 and 21 November 2020. But while the journeys were virtual, the debates and committee work lost none of their reality or intensity.
The auditors were immersed in maritime and naval operations in the Mediterranean, a particularly sensitive crisis zone due to its geopolitical tensions, the proliferation of crime and the vulnerability of its exceptional biodiversity. They were able to meet the highest local maritime authorities of the State who ensure the safety of our fellow citizens and the defence of France's interests on a daily basis in the Mediterranean. Units from the French Navy, Maritime Affairs, Customs, Gendarmerie and the national sea rescue company are on duty 24 hours a day.
On Friday morning, Navy Chief Inspector Thierry Duchesne, deputy for State action at sea, showed the audience how the French organisation of State action at sea enabled the Maritime Prefect, under the authority of the Prime Minister, to coordinate with remarkable efficiency the action of all the administrations involved at sea, thus optimising their resources and enabling them to benefit from the resources of others. Rear-Admiral Roux de Luze, CECMED's deputy operations officer, then explained to the audience the challenges and diversity of naval operations in the Mediterranean led by the maritime zone commander (CECMED) under the authority of the ECS.
The afternoon was first devoted to the 'organic' authorities responsible for maintaining the navy's ships and aircraft and for training their crews. Vice-Admiral Xavier Baudouard, Commander of the Naval Action Force, and Rear-Admiral Éric Janicot, Commander of the Naval Aviation Maritime Force, discussed with the audience the major technical and human challenges posed by changing threats, the increasing use of digital technology within the Navy, equipment maintenance, and the recruitment and retention of increasingly qualified personnel who are in ever greater demand. The auditors were thus able to discover the very high technological level of the navy's resources - surface ships, submarines and aircraft - as well as the expertise and strong motivation of the sailors who operate them. At the same time, they were able to appreciate the difficulties encountered in maintaining equipment in operational condition, and in recruiting and retaining high-quality sailors in a context of increasing operational pressure and high demands on crews.
The day ended with a videotour of CROSS Méditerranée (CROSSMED - Centre régional opérationnel de sécurité et de sauvetage), where the auditors were welcomed by its director, Philippe Michaud, chief administrator of maritime affairs. By "virtually" climbing the gangway - a "visiovisite" was tried out for the occasion - the auditors were able to see for themselves the exceptional efficiency of this interministerial organisation, which enables the Maritime Prefect to immediately mobilise all government resources at sea.
By disconnecting from their videoconference, the listeners found themselves bitterly isolated from each other, but with the pleasing prospect of seeing each other again the following day. They will remain particularly grateful for the time that these authorities were kind enough to devote to their joint reflection and, above all, for the breadth of vision, the simplicity and the great frankness of the remarks that were made.
The long-awaited next day did not disappoint, as from the early hours of the morning, they went to the heart of the abyss to dream with Michel l'Hour, an internationally renowned specialist in underwater archaeology and Director of the Department of Underwater and Subaquatic Archaeological Research (DRASSM). He shared with them his passion for the riches hidden in the wrecks of the "world's largest museum". These wrecks, in addition to their exceptional cultural and historical interest, can represent real strategic and geopolitical issues, and even threats to the environment, depending on the toxic nature of their cargoes, which can be gradually released by corrosion. With Serge Segura, Ambassador for the Oceans, who had joined the audience for their committee work, the debate was of unparalleled richness and intensity, which unfortunately had to be brought to an end after running well over the allotted time.
On Saturday afternoon, before returning to their rooms full of excitement, the auditors concluded their seminar with a progress report on the studies entrusted to them by the Prime Minister on sovereignty in the maritime domain. For the occasion, Olivier Schmitt, Head of the Studies and Research Department, joined the auditors and his deputy, Mélissa Levaillant, who was also in charge of teaching for the session, to guide the auditors and congratulate them on the work they had accomplished.
