During the international exercise Marara 2026 which took place in French Polynesia, the overseas support and assistance vessel (BSAOM) Bougainville and the overseas patrol vessel (POM) Teriieroo A Teriierooiterai conducted the first replenishment at sea.
This unprecedented maneuver between these two units was carried out in the Makemo lagoon, the BSAOM holding a fixed position thanks to its dynamic positioning system and its powerful effectors and the POM coming alongside its port side.
During this maneuver, the BSAOM transferred a significant quantity of diesel fuel and fresh water to the POM. A load transfer between the two vessels was also carried out using their cranes, enabling the transfer of heavy equipment or supplies to extend the POM’s range.
This operation validated a new and particularly valuable operational capability for these two classes of vessels, which form the backbone of patrol boats in overseas territories. The BSAOMs’ significant storage capacities can thus increase the endurance of a patrol boat deployed on operations, highlighting the complementary nature of resources in overseas theaters of operation.