Thibaut Verdenal at the helm of the Bâtiment-base de plongeurs démineurs Achéron

During the 12 months of command of LV Augustin Chové, the sailors of the Achéron supported the diver units of the Toulon district (commando Hubert, Groupement de plongeurs démineurs Méditerranée, Centre expert plongée humaine et intervention sous la mer) for training activities or operations, took part in a fisheries patrol mission, carried out an intermediate technical maintenance period, and conducted a diving cooperation and support mission in the Adriatic and Central Mediterranean. Entering the École des Matelots in 2016 as a navigator sailor, EV1 Thibaut Verdenal joined the high-seas patrol vessel (PHM) Commandant l’Herminier, with which he participated in operations CORYMBE and SOPHIA. He then entered the École navale in 2019 and chose the naval operations on surface vessels branch to specialize in the missile-gunnery field. Between 2020 and 2022, he served as weapons department head on the PHM Commandant Bouan and the amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) Mistral before joining the air defense frigate (FDA) Chevalier Paul in 2022 as head of the self-defense sector. Built in 1986 in Cherbourg and commissioned in 1987, the Achéron is a 42-meter vessel whose mission is the transport, deployment, and technical, medical, and operational support of a detachment of 12 clearance divers operating in complete autonomy down to 80 meters. It also participates in the training of clearance divers and combat swimmers of the École de plongée de Saint-Mandrier. Based in Toulon, it also takes part in numerous maritime approach control missions. Its sponsor city is Beaulieu-sur-Mer.