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Here is a photo of German forces entering Port Vendres in November 1942. The passenger ship in the background is the "Maréchal Lyautey."
Can anyone identify the small craft in front of it ( at the far left of the photo)?

Dave G
The PT Dockyard
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Hello Ptdockyard,
This craft is the CERBERE, one fishery protection vessel of the french Governement.
Merry Christmas
Alain

Excellent! :D Are there any clearer pictures of this little boat?

According to Groener's she was take over by the Kriegsmarine and lost in Brest.

Is there a published source that lists and ( even better) has illustrations of Non- Navy French Government craft like this?

Dave G.
The PT Dockyard
Merry Christmas!!

Hello Ptdockyard,
During the period 1939 - june 1940, the Cerbère and two others fishering protection vessels, the Gardien Cosmao and the Socoa were used by French Navy in Marseille harbour as pilot vessel under the pennant number Ad 161, AD 199 and AD 200. All were returned to civilian service during the summer 1940.
In this bad photo, taken in back lighting, the Cerbère is seen in Marseille.



Happy New Year
Alain

Beautiful! Thank you. :D

Groeners has her listed as Le Cerbiere. She was 30m long, 4.25m beam , 80 t displacement.

The Kriegsmarine took her over as M7607.

Was the Gardien Cosmao similar?

Thanks,
Dave

Is there a published book on these types of boat? I am now looking for pictures of:

-Gardien Cosmao
-Le Socoa
-Rèdacteur Alexandre

What was the French name for the "Fishery Protection Service?"

Le Cerbère is great! :D I already have a 1/600 scale model of her in process!

Dave G.
The PT Dockyard

Her a photo of the Rédacteur Alexandre, The Gardien Cosmao, built by the same yard in La Ciotat, was similar.
The french name is "garde-pêche".
Regards
Alain

Thank you, Alain! :D

A postcard showing the old harbour at Marseille:
in the foreground very probably the "Gardien Cosmao", followed by three small pilotboats, then in my opinion the "Pilote Nivière" and (the second vessel with an anchor as funnelmarking) the "Pilote Escoffier".