On July 16, 2023, a boat trip off the coast of Brétignolles-sur-Mer turned into a tragedy. A 17-year-old young man lost his life after the boat he was on with six other people capsized.
According to -.Fr, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, the victim’s father, who was also the boat’s pilot, appeared before the court in Les Sables-d’Olonne. The president of the court recalled: “This hearing will be difficult, but it must be fully informed.”
A Sea Trip That Turns into a Nightmare
Having held a boat license since 2011, but with little practical experience, the father had rented a semi-rigid for a family excursion to the island of Yeu. The return was rushed due to poor weather conditions. At the end of the day, force 4 to 5 winds created a significant swell.
Instead of returning directly to Saint-Gilles, the pilot chose to follow the coast towards Brétignolles, passing through a rocky area. “The GPS did not ring”, he explained during the hearing. An unexpected wave then overturned the boat, throwing all seven passengers into the water.
The emergency services quickly mobilized significant resources: jet-skis, SNSM boats, maritime gendarme boats, firefighters, beach lifeguards and helicopters. Despite these efforts, the 17-year-old remained unaccounted for until his body was found six days later.
Tears and Regrets
In front of the court, the father expressed his immense pain: “He was a good kid. I would have preferred a thousand times to be in his place. » The mother, civil party, described her son as a cautious boy who loved the ocean, who aspired to become a maritime policeman.
A Breach of Safety Rules
It was revealed that the young man did not die by drowning, but from cuts caused by the boat’s propeller. The father admitted not having attached the safety cut-off switch to his wrist, a fatal oversight.
The Sanctions Considered
Prosecutor Sophie Grellet stressed the seriousness of the breaches of safety regulations: “There is the emotion of losing one’s child, but there are responsibilities to be punished.” She requested a six-month prison sentence with probation suspended for two years, an obligation to receive care and compensation, as well as a ban on sailing for three years.
