In July 2017 I took HARPY to Boulogne-sur-mer in the Pas de Calais region for northern France. The visit was of a month duration. It has been a long time wish of mine, was to search for any wreckage of the Spitfire of WW2 Irish ace of aces Wing. Cdr. Brendan Finucane. If nothing was found at least his memory was being honoured.
Unfortunately, nothing definitive was found on this occasion but the expedition taught a lot. The next search will have this experience to hopefully get a better result.
A dual frequency sidescan sonar was the main search tool along with precise positioning equipment and a lot of toughbook PCs, software and hardware.
The story itself is for another time, but while there the Boulogne Sea Festival took place and a great number and variety of vessels arrived. This picture does not do the festival any justice - it was a typical celtic affair of music, dance, friendly get-togethers and far more beautiful and unique vessels than this picture shows. The marina was wonderful too and is highly recommended to any passing mariner. In the background is the visiting replica French frigate HERMIONE normally based in Brest and the "dundee" type fishing boat ETOILE MOLÉNE based in St.Malo.
