THE man in charge of all French maritime activity in the English Channel and North Sea has spent the last two days in Guernsey meeting the local authorities with which he liaises. Vice-Admiral Edouard Guillaud has been the Prefet Maritime based in Cherbourg since September 2004 and has overseen several operations affecting the Bailiwick since, the most significant of late being the rescue and clean up after the sinking of the tanker Ece.

His short stay has been hosted by fellow vice-admiral Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon at Government House.

It is Vice-Admiral Guillaud’s second trip to the island, having visited in April 2005 for the launch of the Manche Isles ferry service between the islands and Cherbourg.

‘Being of Norman stock I am always very interested in the Channel Islands from a personal and more professional point of view. It is a pleasure to visit.’

He said the two jurisdictions had several common interests in sharing the same waters and, on the whole had a very good working relationship.

He works closely with the Bailiwick on matters of environmental protection and preserving resources and fish stocks.

‘The governments have not always had an easy working relationship but we have come to a good diplomatic understanding which works on the whole rather nicely, despite minor upsets of some fishermen misbehaving.’

He said he worked very closely and effectively with the Guernsey States over the Ece clean up operation.

‘This visit is a great opportunity to meet the people in charge of maritime operations locally.’

Sir Fabian said he was delighted to be able to host the prefet.

‘It is important to keep very closely in touch with maritime authorities across the sea and on a personal level we have had a lot in common.’

The pair spent yesterday visiting sites including Victor Hugo House, and Sir Fabian said it had been a beautiful day to show off Guernsey at its best.

Last night he hosted a dinner party at Government House attended by Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland, Chief Minister Laurie Morgan, deputies and other guests.

Today Sir Fabian and Vice-Admiral Guillaud will cruise around Herm before visiting Sark and Alderney.