Large smoke, visible from the heights of Hyères… A pleasure boat caught fire at sea this Tuesday in the middle of the afternoon, opposite Ceinturon beach, in Ayguade, not far from the airport. It was a 35F flotilla helicopter from the French Navy, which was flying over the area, which was able to raise the alert, around 4 p.m., allowing the Crossmed to engage three SNSM launches, firefighters and the maritime police.
Emergency services quickly intervened to help the boat located several hundred meters from the coast. Three people on board had already been picked up by a pleasure RIB sailing nearby, even before help arrived. They were then transported, safe and sound, to the port by the maritime gendarmerie.
The fire engines and SNSM continued their fight against the fire, which was extinguished around 5:20 p.m., but the boat sank shortly after.
This fire, the causes of which are still unknown, also mobilized the Maritime Prefecture, which delegates the coordination of operations to Crossmed, and an ambulance from SDIS 83.
The authorities remind you that for rescue at sea (Crossmed), you must dial the number 196 on your mobile or use Channel 16 of the VHF on board.
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