New failure
Confidence reigns at the Ministry of the Armed Forces. With the modern resources of 2019, the discovery of the Minerva is only a matter of days. Family representatives, welcomed for the first time in 51 years at the Ministry of the Armed Forces, are informed of the search program.
Yet three weeks later, concerns are rising: the February 2019 campaign is another failure.
February 2019 research campaign
A meeting for an initial contact in the presence of representatives of the families took place on February 11, 2019, at the Ministry of the Armed Forces, to present the research program.
The Navy is optimistic. IFREMER will investigate the area of its presumed disappearance in 1968. There is little doubt that the Minerve will be located quickly.
Two weeks later, a new delegation of families was received at the Toulon Prefecture on February 28 for an assessment of the initial research carried out over six days.
Mission of "Pourquoi Pas"
During the night of February 7-8, 2019, the ship "Pourquoi Pas?" inspected an area of 30 km2, but no trace or evidence of the Minerve was detected.
When the results of this operation were presented to the families on February 28, the navy hid its concern behind a facade of optimism, explaining that this campaign had helped to strengthen their confidence in the resources implemented.
Boards presented to families and the press during the 1st meeting
Family representatives on February 5, 2019. From left to right: Marie Edith Cailliau-Baudez, Patrice Baudez, Isabelle Helmer, Jean-Marc Meunier, Hervé Fauve, André Fauve-Piot, Christophe Agnus
The IFREMER vessel, the "Pourquoi pas?" set sail in early February. His route (white lines on the sea) shows how he traveled above the presumed place of the sinking -Map of February 19, 2019
