“It’s a hell of a beast!” » Despite the unpredictable weather this Wednesday, a retiree from Le Croisic, bundled up in his yellow windbreaker, can't help but take off his gloves to draw his camera. Behind the lens: the brand new offshore boat received a few days ago by the local station of the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM).
Named Pierre Bouguer, in homage to a brilliant 18th century scientist born in the small port town of 4,100 souls, this imposing orange ship (more than 17 meters long) was eagerly awaited by the thirty volunteer rescuers of the peninsula . “We went to pick him up from the Arcachon shipyard. When we returned, many people were there to welcome us. It was a real event. Because we change ships approximately once every twenty-five years! » exclaims their president Gérard Le Cam, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
The 80-year-old man, a lover of the sea since childhood and at the head of the local SNSM for a dozen years, will keep fond memories of the station's former boat, an all-weather canoe which will be completely renovated before docking in another port. “Obviously, there is a bit of nostalgia. We still had the chance to exhibit this one twice in Paris,” remembers Gérard Le Cam, showing a photo dated 2015 in which we can see the ship parked… in front of the Arc de Triomphe!
A ship costing more than 2 million euros
Its successor, much more modern, however, has many qualities: it can accommodate around sixty victims (i.e. five times more than before), it is self-righting, equipped with the latest technologies… “And it will allow us to go much further out to sea, with much greater safety for rescuers”he adds. His right-hand man, Laurent Allanic, crew chief for many years at Le Croisic, remembers perilous interventions where such means would have been very useful. Like a few weeks ago, during a mission requiring more than eight hours of arduous efforts to rescue a boat that had broken down in the open sea.
Or another, more serious one, five years ago – shortly after a tragic accident in Sables-d'Olonne (Vendée) in which three SNSM rescuers lost their lives. “That night, two fishermen were stranded at sea. Their boat had capsized. Huge resources had to be deployed, there was even a helicopter. But it was difficult to find them, because we couldn't see anything in the dark… It was less than one, he rewinds, convinced that the tragedy could have easily been avoided thanks to the thermal camera of the Pierre Bouguer.
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But cutting-edge equipment means huge prices. “This new ship cost more than two million euros”indicates Gérard Le Cam, adding that other equipment (life jackets, sea clothing, oxygen masks, etc.), as well as the training of volunteers (at the national center of Saint-Nazaire and in 32 centers spread across France) also require significant resources. It is for these reasons that the SNSM, an association recognized as being of public utility (and whose 206 lifesaving stations throughout the French coast rely on 60% private funding), launched a call for donations on the sidelines of this festive period. Christmas. With a slogan that says a lot about its needs: “Human life is priceless, but rescue has a cost. »
For their part, the Croisic rescuers are already looking forward to carrying out their first exercises on their new ship. “And thanks to this year’s collection, we are already starting to save to pay for the next one,” assures their president. Rescue at sea is always a long-term job! »
Prize pool already open on don.snsm.org
