Since June 12, 2025, the overseas patrol vessel (POM) Auguste Benebig has been deployed in the permanent area of responsibility (ZRP) of the armed forces in New Caledonia (FANC). This deployment follows the vessel’s participation in Operation Nasse 2025 organized by the United States under Operation 365 to combat illegal fishing coordinated by the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Center (RFSC).
From June 17 to 21, 2025, the POM Auguste Benebigmade a stopover in Port Vila, Vanuatu. This representative stopover allowed the reception of various authorities including French ambassador as well as the ambassadors of partner countries (Australia, Japan, and New Zealand).
The transit of the building was used to transport meteorological equipment from the New Caledonia research and development institute to the Vanuatu Meteolorology and Geohazards department.
Class visits from the French Lycée Le Clezio also took place throughout the stopover, allowing students to learn about the French Navy patrol boat, its missions, and its crew. Finally, a football match took place between a delegation of sailors from the Auguste Benebig and the Malampa United FC football team, a Vanuatu team made up in part of officers from the Vanuatu Fisheries Department who had embarked a few days earlier to carry out fisheries inspections on board the patrol boat.
The ship had arranged for two Vanuatu observers to join them on June 16th to conduct a joint patrol. Four interrogations were thus conducted within 24 hours of the observers’ boarding from June 16th to 17th.