In 2023, seven people died by drowning in the marina of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), the largest in Europe with some 5,100 berths. “And we prevented 20 other drownings. Twenty times when people were saved by port staff, pontoon neighbours or firefighters,” notes Patrice Bernier, the main harbour master. These figures, completely unprecedented and considered “alarming”, led the port authority – a public institution – to launch “an anti-drowning plan” to improve safety and prevent new tragedies.
“People are unaware of the danger in a port located in the city centre,” confirms Patrice Bernier, who has already recorded one fatal accident in 2024, which occurred on 18 June. To limit the risks, boaters will now be encouraged to deploy the swimming ladders installed at the rear of the vessels. Almost one in two are equipped with them. But many owners moor them high up and make them inaccessible. However, these ladders are effective equipment when the height of the pontoons, which are unreachable, varies between 60 and 80 centimetres above the water.
A “small gesture” that could save lives
“Boat owners don’t always realize that a functional ladder can make the difference between life and death,” notes the marina, which hopes to convince. “Last year, one of the seven victims drowned at the back of her own boat. Her ladder was moored so she wouldn’t be immersed in the water, she was never able to reach it,” relates Patrice Bernier bitterly.
The marina has thus created a specific sticker to stick near the ladders made accessible and operational. This “small gesture” should allow people who have fallen into the water to easily visualize their guardian angels.
“This sticker is already available at the harbor master’s office,” says Patrice Bernier, who is also preparing to communicate more around the pontoons. A working group must also be set up to “observe accident rates and learn from them,” adds the chief harbor master.
Over the past ten years, 20 deaths by drowning have been recorded in the marina – including seven in 2023, concentrated between May and July. Excessive alcohol consumption is regularly the cause of these accidents, which affect both boaters and outsiders who come to visit or frequent the port, notes Patrice Bernier.
