Water sports in the Channel Sea are popular, but they are not without danger. 723 interventions were recorded from May to September 2024 by the CROSS of Jobourg and Gris-nez, involving 1604 people and leading to the death of three people. It is 7% more operations compared to 2023 for this same period. For the maritime prefecture, this slight increase is explained in particular by the bad weather conditions this summer.
Sailing pleasure, leading cause of rescue operations
Sailing pleasure was the leading cause of rescue operations this summer, 33% of cases, ahead of motor pleasure and isolation by the tide. To make boaters aware of good reflexes, inspection operations at the dock and at sea were carried out this summer. 8% of vessels checked were in violation.
All safety rules are found in a reference text, called the 240 division. There you will find the minimum safety equipment, instructions for positioning yourself and communicating with emergency services. “ Those practicing nautical leisure activities must have well-adapted equipment, that they do not prejudge their strength, particularly at the start of the season, that they warn someone on land who could trigger the alert, that they have a means of communication on them, and a light system to be spotted more easily at night », recalls Frédéric Garnaud, director of CROSS Jobourg.
The importance of identifying your equipment
Another piece of advice recalled during this awareness campaign: identify your equipment, as Benoît de Guibert, maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea, explains: “ Today, for example, it is obligatory to mark your kitesurfing kite, with your name and telephone number. So, when we find a wing lost at sea or on the coast, we will immediately identify the owner and ensure that the person is safe and sound. This will prevent us from triggering a rescue operation, because when in doubt, if we imagine that a person is in distress at sea, we implement all means ».
The prefect seeks to reduce the rate of false alarms and invites in particular people who have lost their equipment at sea to notify emergency services. « You have to have the reflex to warn: “I lost my paddle at sea, I lost my inflatable raft, it is drifting offshore, but there is no one on board”. It's important that everyone has this culture of safety. If there is anything unusual at sea, call 196. » For the maritime authorities, it is a question of saving rescue resources, which are not unlimited and must be kept on alert to intervene in real rescue operations.
Among the resources used during the rescue operations, we find the H160 helicopter of the French Navy, based in Maupertuis. Nicolas is the captain. He is delighted with the evolution of equipment, with more efficient technology which improves their efficiency. However, it finds the same markers as 10 years ago at the user level. “ There are well-equipped people who can be found instantly when they are in difficulty and those who are not equipped, amateurs or even unconscious, and there the searches can last a very long time or not be successful.. »
As a reminder, there is two means of emergency communication: telephone number 196 or distress channel VHF16.