This Saturday, June 15th, the weather was not really suitable for taking a sailor out. Some people had launched their boats under the still gray and gloomy sky, especially the fishermen. They were not alone. Because this Saturday has long been included in the government’s calendar as a day dedicated to “security at sea”, that is, control, prevention rather than sanctions.
Gendarmerie boats…
This Saturday, June 15th, the weather was not really suitable for sailing a sailor. Some people had launched their boats under the still gray and gloomy sky, especially the fishermen. They were not alone. Because this Saturday has long been included in the government’s calendar as a day dedicated to “safety at sea”, that is, control, prevention rather than sanctions.
Agents of the Maritime Gendarmerie, Maritime Affairs and the French Biodiversity Office (Marine Natural Park) crossed the water body to meet several boaters. Jérôme Goussard, chief of staff aboard the Gendarmerie, approaches a small boat with three men and a few fishing rods on board. Spotting them was a gendarme jet ski that had been in use since last July. The car passes in front, the boatmen are hardly recognizable as gendarmes, and the soldier driving it is connected to the boat by radio link.
Complex rules
Check in is done with a smile and great courtesy. There is almost nothing to criticize these fishermen, other than the lack of a second circuit breaker, an innovation in complex regulations that are constantly evolving and not always easy for boaters to understand. “We signal them so they can equip themselves. We understand that it is not easy to know everything,” explains Jérôme Goussard. Later, another rigid hull is inspected with three fishermen on board. This time everything is perfect, even in the details. A short time later, a boat with two children on board appeared on a jet ski. “We especially want to make sure they have life jackets of the right size for children,” explains one gendarme. Here again, the hardware is the perfect regulator.
Today, it aims to provide “prevention and education” to users, as Marine and Coastal Representative Delfin Catalana reminded us. Last year, 300 rescue interventions were carried out in the Gironde, including 90 rescues, mainly on passes in the Arcachon basin and in the basin towards Lège-Cap-Ferret. Navigation is sometimes dangerous. “Last year in the Basin, a lady was seriously injured and quadriplegic in a collision between two boats,” recalls Jean-Yves Carlier, deputy director of the DDTM (Directorate of the Department of Territories and the Sea).
Excessive speeds
Last year there were 2,000 for vouchers, again mainly in the Arcachon basin. And a quarter made it possible to identify violations of the law. These mainly concern defects in safety equipment or the presentation of documents (insurance license, etc.). Extreme speeds are also in focus, as it is limited to three knots (5.5 km/h) in the swimming area, 300 meters from shore, as well as five knots (9.3 km/h) between the Banc d’Arguin. and dune. The anchorage rules at Banc d’Arguin have also changed due to significant movement after last summer’s storms. For example, the southern part is no longer accessible for security reasons. “We will ensure that these rules are enforced,” emphasizes Delphine Cathala.
Last year, 54 licenses were suspended for one week to six months for the most serious violations. “We want to increase the license suspension to make an impression,” assures Jean-Yves Carlier. But in most cases these are simple violations. Personal watercraft (a.k.a. jet skis) are especially at the point of departure of marine authorities for speed. “But not only that, there are also boats,” emphasizes Jérôme Goussard. Jet skis are now banned for the summer season on the slipways of the port of La Vigne in Cap-Ferret and in the port of Arcachon. In order to enforce these regulations in the port, a barrier has been installed in front of the launch slipway. Even unregistered boats can no longer pass through the port.