A new commander at the helm of the mine clearance divers base ship Pluton

A change of command ceremony took place on July 16 at the Toulon naval base.

Rear Admiral Nicolas Pannetier, organic deputy to the admiral commanding the Force d'Action Navale, formally recognized Master Chief Petty Officer (MP) Laurent Fournier as the new commander of the mine clearance divers base ship (BBPD) Pluton, replacing Lieutenant Commander (CC) Pierre Moucheboeuf.

A dense 24-month command

The command of Lieutenant Commander Pierre Moucheboeuf, who combined this role with that of commander of the Groupe de Plongeurs Démineurs de la Méditerranée (GPD MED), was marked by intense operational commitment.

On national territory, the Pluton participated in the Action de l'État en Mer and high-level exercises, such as the harbor mine clearance operation CUTAWAY in Port-Vendres or support for qualification campaigns for deep dives of the GPD Med, reaching up to 80 meters.

Internationally, the vessel carried out significant cooperation activities. In 2025, joint maneuvers with the Tunisian navy allowed training in identifying the wreck of the submarine Ariane. In 2026, the Pluton played a key role in the reopening of French port calls in Libye, after a fourteen-year absence.

The CC Moucheboeuf also worked to strengthen the army-nation bond, notably during a port call in Menton as part of the 70th anniversary of the city's liberation. Note that in the future, the command of the BBPD will be separated from that of the GPD.

A rich career

Master Chief Petty Officer Laurent Fournier, who takes command of the Pluton, has an extensive operational career. Having entered the Marine in 1993, he specialized as a Helmsman and then Navigator-Helmsman, obtaining his watchkeeping officer certificate in 2003.

His career led him to hold sector or department head positions on numerous units, both ashore and at sea. He commanded the Navy Transmission Center (CTM) of the presqu'île de Gapeau in 2019.

In 2021, he was head of the harbor support department of the naval base of Port des Galets in La Réunion, where he participated in logistical operations and the fight against marine pollution during the grounding of the bulk carrier Tresta Star. Previously, he was head of the Helmsman sector of the Bâtiment Ravitailleur de Forces Jacques Stosskopf, which he accompanied since its construction phase.

The MP Laurent Fournier holds the Médaille Militaire, is a Chevalier in the order of Mérite maritime and is decorated with the Croix du combattant and the gold echelon of the Médaille de la Défense Nationale with citation. He is married and has three children.