On November 10, 2011 the official unveiling of the figure head took place, an important step that marks the end of the works on the frigate's hull.

The visitors for the inauguration were welcome by the band « La clique de mer », and were then seated in front of the ship, where a large piece of canvas protected the figure head from spying eyes.

Benedict Donnelly, president of the Association then addressed the crowd to share his feelings with them about starting this new phase in the adventure of the Hermione that is on the horizon: the launch that is foreseen within several months.

He then handed the microphone over to mister Grasset from the city of Rochefort, Mister Frot and Miss Tissandier from the Charente-Maritime region, who both reconfirmed their support for the Hermione.

Finally, mister Proisy, the new vice-prefect of Rochefort has concluded the speeches.

A five-minute movie conceived by the Rochefort-based company Imagine Production was also shown.

At the end of this presentation, six children from the elementary school Anatole France from Rochefort revealed the figure head accompanied by the musicians and under a loud applause from their friends, parents and teachers present.

The students were chosen from two classes that had worked (this year and last year) on the theme of the Hermione in the framework of a collaboration with the "Centre International de la Mer".

The concluding words of the ceremony were granted to the man-of-the-day: Andrew Peters, the sculptor. He was interviewed by Laurent Da Rold, director of the construction project, after which Benedict Donnelly invited everyone to the next big event: the launch of the Hermione into the Charente river on July 6.

The ceremony was ended with music for the two hundred invited guests.