Members of three French Navy training vessels have paid a courtesy visit to the island.

Three vessels from France - the Chacal, Eglantine and Glycine - were stationed in Douglas Harbour on May 11 while the Mayor of Douglas Jon Joughin and Mayoress Angela Joughin hosted the commanding officers at the Town Hall.

This is one of the first engagements that the new Mayor has had for the 2018-2019 municipal year.

Their guests were Lieutenant Clément Bosson from the vessel Chacal, senior petty officer Maxence Mulliez from Eglantine and chief petty officer Patrick Dréo from Glycine, with the Isle of Man French honorary consul Annie Nédellec.

Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney also attended the event.

A cocktail party later took place on board the Chacal, one of the ships visiting from May 11 to the following Monday, where French residents met with the crew and dignitaries.

The Glycine and Eglantine have visited the island in previous years, with the latest visit being in 2014. All are used for practical navigation training and manoeuvre teaching amidships.

The Chacal is one of eight ’Leopard’ type ships based in Brest, France, admitted to active service from 1982 and 1983.

Named after a famous destroyer that took part in World War Two, the vessel belongs to the Force d’Action Navale (Naval Action Force).

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