Portland Officials Welcome French Naval Patrol Vessel Fulmar to Portland Harbor Tomorrow

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland officials will welcome the French Navy patrol vessel Fulmar after it arrives in Portland Harbor tomorrow, Thursday, May 8, in honor of Victory in Europe Day. Severin M. Beliveau, Honorary Consul of France for Maine, and Fabien Fieschi, Consul General of France to New England, will be joined by Military Attaché Marie Madec from the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., in welcoming the Fulmar upon its arrival to the Portland Ocean Gateway at approximately 9:00 AM.

Following the arrival event, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and City Manager Mark Rees will host an official ceremony at 11:00 AM at City Hall honoring the Fulmar’s commander, Lieutenant Josian Grenet and will present the lieutenant with the Key to the City. Dignitaries and officials expected to be in attendance include:

Marie Madec, Military Attaché from the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Fabien Fieschi, Consul General of France to New England
Severin M. Beliveau, Honorary Consul of France for Maine
Maine Senate President Justin Alfond
Brigadier General Gerard F. Bolduc, Assistant Adjutant General, Maine Air National Guard
Commander Anthony Ceraolo, Deputy Commander, US Coast Guard for the Port of Maine
Commander Troy Vest, Response Department Head, US Coast Guard for the Port of Maine
Daniel Deveau, Maine Canadian Trade Ombudsman, Office of Governor Paul LePage
Representatives from the Maine House of Representatives and Senate
Officers of the Fulmar
City officials and other distinguished guests

The Fulmar is based at Saint Pierre and Miquelon, an eight-island territory of the Republic of France, which lies off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The Fulmar is tasked with assisting other vessels and policing the fisheries in the French Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the territory. Lieutenant Josian Grenet assumed command of the Fulmar on July 5, 2013.