Storm Bert. In difficulty in the English Channel, water sports enthusiasts rescued at sea

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It blows hard on the North Sea Channel facadeof the tip of Penmarc'h until the Belgian border!

At least until 6 p.m. this Sunday November 24, 2024 a special coastal weather bulletin (BMS) from Météo-France forecasts strong gusts of windet a heavy sea . “South-southwest winds of force 7 to 8,” specifies the maritime prefecture.

Call for extreme caution

Blame it on the passage of storm Bert. In this context, the Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (Cross) Jobourg coordinated on Saturday, November 23 several rescue operationsto help water sports enthusiasts in difficulty .

The maritime prefecture notably reports an intervention in Coudeville-sur-Mer, after the call from a person who had lost sight of a practitioner of wing foil whose sail was torn, while the sea was rough with a wind of force 8.

THE firefighterswere mobilized including a light lifeboat, as well as the light launch SNS 444 Roquereuil from the SNSM station of Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal. The person was finally able to be recovered by the sea ​​rescuers before being taken care of on dry land by firefighters.

Near Hermanville-sur-Mer (Calvados), it was a witness who raised the alarm after seeing a windsurfer in difficulty while the south wind was force 6. The latter was finally recovered by the semi-rigid SNS 7 – 002 Dominica Week from the Ouistreham SNSM station, before being taken care of by the firefighters.

The maritime prefecture therefore wishes to call on those practicing nautical leisure activities “to the greatest caution for the end of this weekend“. And to give some adviceto follow when Météo-France issues such alerts:

• It is recommended to postpone trips to the sea.
• It is preferable not to check your anchorage during the alert but to do so before and after.
• You must pay attention to messages from departmental prefectures regarding travel along the coast.
• It is recommended that boat owners contact the managers of mooring areas and light equipment to find out what action to take to secure their property and thus facilitate the coordination of actions.
• Whatever happens, it is essential to prepare for your sea trips, to check your equipment, to warn your loved ones, and to have a means of communication with yourself.

In the event of an emergency at sea, contact CROSS on 196 or on VHF channel 16.

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