The Star of France Was she born (under the name Jutlandia) under a “good” star, in 1938, in Denmark? After a gleaming first life, between transporting salt or cod off the Baltic, and filming films, this 40 m topsail schooner has only inspired concern since its arrival in Saint-Nazaire in 2021. And this worse than predicted, happened on the night of October 28 to 29, 2023; storm Celine sent this sailing coaster to the bottom, at the foot of the pontoon of the submarine base where it was moored.
Since then, its two masts sticking out of the water have intrigued onlookers. And worry the actors of the Grand-Port Maritime of Nantes Saint-Nazaire. The rest of the thwarted destiny of this ship will be played out in court. And it was the administrative court of Nantes which had the scoop on the first episode, this Tuesday, June 25.
Read also: In Saint-Nazaire, a study to refloat the two-masted L’étoile de France
Refloating at the owner’s expense
On the menu of the 1re chamber, the examination of the legality of the main road fine of €1,500 imposed on the Étoile de France and co association, owner of what has become, in law, a “wreck”. A wreck that the association will perhaps have to refloat at its own expense, and this is obviously the crux of the legal issue. A very heavy challenge in view of the crane costs, which have not filtered out, announced as astronomical.
A few minutes were enough for the public rapporteur to rewind the film of the events, in an empty room, and propose an epilogue: confirmation of the fine, admittedly slightly reduced (€1,000), “due to the danger and obstruction to traffic”, observed by a “sworn port officer”. And that of the obligation imposed on the owner to assume responsibility for the removal of the wreck.
A period of only seven days, from notification of the judgment, is recommended by this independent magistrate whose opinion is generally followed by the judges. And, in the absence of execution, the owner association is exposed to a fine of €50 per day of delay, or a “official removal at one’s own risk”.
The decision, put under advisement, is expected on July 9.
