“Offer cruises lasting several weeks on The Maritélike the White. » This is Cyril Guéret’s proposal. Le Granvillais, a former member of the crew, launched a petition on the internet more than a year ago, to “restore a boost of attractiveness to the sailboat”. In his letter, to the attention of Hervé Morin, president of the Normandy Region, he also suggests “to bring the Normandy regional council into the Marité public interest group, alongside the Manche departmental council”. So far, no signatory in sight, apart from Cyril Guéret himself. No matter, he won’t budge. He wants “put the spotlight back on” on his idea at a time when the Department is looking for partners to restore the boat, infested by a fungus.
Cabins for passengers
Before being put into dry dock, The Marité offered tourists day trips: Granville Bay, the Chausey Islands, Pointe du Grouin… An offer “unsuitable” for the author of the petition: “A three-masted ship to go to Chausey is like taking the TGV to travel 20 km. It doesn’t really make sense.” He suggests instead providing cabins for around twenty passengers, who could thus sleep aboard the old rig and sail further. “ He could go to Norway or do tours of Europe. »
The last Newfoundland dog in France attacked by a fungus
It remains to be seen under what conditions the Marité could return to sea. The last Newfoundland in France celebrated its centenary with great fanfare, in 2023, off the coast of Granville. She left her home port almost a year ago, heading to Port-en-Bessin for the ten-yearly inspection of her hull and masts. This is where the fungus, close to dry rot, was discovered. He has not sailed since and has not returned to Granville. The restoration of the boat is expected to cost several million euros.
