Government House Following Up Aviation Report

June 29, 2016

[Updated] Government House confirmed that a French naval ship was granted diplomatic clearance for its visit to Bermuda, however said they did not receive an application for the naval jet aircraft, adding that they received a report from the Department of Civil Aviation about the aircraft and are “following this up in consultation with the Ministry of Defence in London.”

Governor George Fergusson Bermuda June 29 2016

French Naval Ship Visits Bermuda

The French Naval ship Monge [pictured below off Dockyard] recently visited Bermuda, traveling in and out of the area from June 17th to June 27th.

According to CBC, “Monge is equipped with state-of-the art technology allowing it to track and monitor information about missiles or satellites” and “is one of the few telecommunication vessels in the world.”

French navy in Bermuda June 2016 (1)

Low Flying French Planes

On Friday, June 24th, numerous locals reported seeing a low flying plane across the island, and the police also confirmed they “received several calls from concerned members of the public regarding aircraft flying at low altitude over the island.”

The Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation said they “did not issue any permission to the operators of these jets to conduct any low flying high speed flights around the island” and “did not grant permissions for them to violate the Low Flying Rule of the Air.”

The Department of Civil Aviation referred to them as “low flying French Air Force Falcon aircraft” and added that “this matter is being looked into by Civil Aviation.”

Government House Statement

The statement said, “Government House has confirmed that the French naval ship Monge applied and was granted diplomatic clearance for its visit to Bermuda.

“Government House did not receive any application in respect of the naval jet aircraft which also visited.

“The Governor has asked for and received a report from the Department of Civil Aviation concerning the movements of the aircraft and is following this up in consultation with the Ministry of Defence in London.”

Update: French Planes Still In Bermuda

Update 2.13pm: The French Naval planes are still here, they are pictured below [the ones with 'Marine' on them].

We took the photos below at the airport today, and the Department of Civil Aviation has confirmed that one of them was the French Naval plane involved in the incident.


s

Ministry Confirm ‘Low Altitude Pass Over Island’ & ‘Low Level Passes’ Alongside Ship

Update 5.43pm: The Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities said, “Government can confirm that a French naval aircraft conducted a low altitude pass over the Island and along parts of the coastline on Friday evening.

“The aircraft had earlier made several low level passes alongside the departing Norwegian Breakaway Cruise ship while still within Bermuda territorial waters.

Video posted on Youtube said to show the aircraft passing by the cruise ship on Friday :

“The aircraft was primarily conducting operations in connection with the French naval ship Monge, which was in Bermuda waters under diplomatic clearance from the UK,” the spokesperson added.

“As regulatory matters of civil aviation are the responsibility of Government House, the Governor has requested the Department of Civil Aviation to investigate the matter, with a preliminary report already submitted.

“The Governor is following this up in consultation with the Ministry of Defence in London, while the investigation continues.”

French Navy Falcon Crew Apologise

Update 7.54pm: The French Navy Falcon crew have apologised for any “disturbance experienced by the general public as a result of the aircraft training activity of last Friday,” saying it was not “their intention to cause any disturbance”. Read the full statement here.

Read More About

Category: All, News

Comments (35)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Onion Juice says:

    They know we don’t have any military power that would’ve intercepted de jet, easy pickings for an invasion.
    What a joke, and what makes it more funny is we have a Minister of Defence !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    LMFAO

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      “It is better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt” – unknown

      • Full Fuulish says:

        @Build a better Bermuda. Truth. But that ship has sailed a long time ago.

      • jt says:

        Way past that.

      • Terry says:

        Your the fool “Build a Better Bermuda”.

        Tell that to the millions during the past 70+ years.

    • really says:

      With any Luck, they are coming to take Onion Juice away!

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Thanks to people like you…Someone who supported the B.A.D…WE have no military…But i know you can handle it Juiceman!

  2. dick francis says:

    Look here! It’s not our damned fault the Brits voted to go! This is actually quite funny – a diplomatic spat with the French? *Grabs popcorn*

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      I kinda feel so for the French consulate rep right now.

  3. San George says:

    Does this include a “Kamikazi” run at a cruise ship, buzzing our homes and boats? – out of order. We can’t complain to the EU – David and the UK had their Last Supper 28-June-2016.

    • Harry Buttle says:

      I for one would have enjoyed the airshow if I was on the cruise ship.

      • Andrew says:

        Until the thought crossed your mind that the jet may be on a kamikazi mission and you are stuck on the boat.

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Why would you complain to the EU who has nothing to do with us…and not the UK for which we are tethered to…complaining to the EU would be comparable to complaining to your Slave Master…

  4. Jrsmith says:

    Thank you for the explanation.

  5. Les bermudes says:

    We’re about to be recolonized!
    Brush up on your french folks!

    On the bright side it means we’ll be back in the EU

  6. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Don’t you worry…Iceland gonna take care of the French on Sunday!!

  7. In other news says:

    The military jets are still here. Parked. Hopefully bernews will post a picture since i saw the camera man there just now. That way all the wacky conspiracy people can clearly see they are not private, and whoever flew them is still on island.

  8. IslandTeacher says:

    Can the Department of Civil Aviation publish the ATC communication? We would then know what the conversation was. Had they been granted oceanic clearance? Basic background information to this story.

    • Why says:

      Why? Its not civilian business the public is not the FAA and have no impact on the outcome. Let military folk hash it out, if there is anything to hash out.

      • IslandTeacher says:

        This is not a military training corridor and Civilian ATC would still have jurisdiction.

    • sage says:

      I think they should be seized and used to patrol our eez.

    • Bermy says:

      They will never release the ATC recordings as again they are military.

  9. Really? says:

    Great reporting now when are the pilots going to face a court room for breaking laws? The French think they can do whatever they want.

  10. Toodle-oo says:

    I’m so glad I wasn’t any of the idiots who put forth their ridiculous ‘drug drop ‘ conspiracy theories.

    What’s it like feeling like a stupid jerk now ?

  11. Long Bay Trading Co. says:

    checking out space for a refugee camp so they can move all the CalisEuro tunnel refugee folks to us and get back at Britan-thru a back door- for (a)leaving the EU and (b) being rubbish at football. Ya think?

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Why do u think they would take some recourse for the UK’s decision to remain as is..?

  12. Jeremy Deacon says:

    Am loving this story! I’m available to the French guys if they need some PR :)

  13. Marge says:

    So… our Govenor allowed this French ship to enter our waters to conduct marine operations…. but has no clue why these low flying French jets are flying so low all over our Island…PLEASE will some one let us know what the hell is going on …..

  14. Point boy says:

    The Breakaway didn’t arrive in Dockyard today. Hope it’s not a result of the close encounter with those French jets

  15. Now…someone told me they were filming an EAU DE TOILETTE commercial for Boucheron.

  16. Pepe says:

    Omelette du fromage