The windsurfer adrift at sea was “the first actor in his rescue”

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« The rescues with a happy ending are very rare. They only represent 1 to 2% of maritime rescue missions, assures Lieutenant Commander Christophe, pilot of the H160 helicopter of the French Navy based in Maupertus (Manche). Often, people are not found or are found but deceased. »

Time is running out

“Time is crucial when sea ​​rescue operations. THE chances of survival decrease quickly after 10 hours in the watermaking the first hours of research essential,” recalls the pilot.

In the case of the windsurfer we rescued, the research was carried out in collaboration with Cross Jobourg. This used computer drift models to determine search areas taking into account weather, currents, the type of person or vessel to be searched. The more time passes, the more the area of ​​uncertainty increases, because with the tides, the wind and the drift, the person will move and our area will expand. The first minutes are essential.

Et the officer to discuss the advantage of research in helicopter.

“Our helicopter is of the latest generation. It is the flagship, the most modern of the National Navy. It is equipped with advanced technologies. We are equipped with classic day vision cameras and night vision binoculars, which allows us to be effective at night et in bad weather. By flying low and using all of the helicopter's sensors, including the human eye, we can scan relatively large areas in a relatively short time compared to the time it would take for an SNSM launch or a plane. »

The helicopter crew did not hide the Friday December 27, 2024 againsatisfaction to have been able to recover Vianney safe and sound, after long hours of searching.

“Vianney impressed us with his ability to survive 18 hours at sea. He went into survival mode and this survival mode was intelligent, very well adapted and it clearly allowed him to last all night. We would never have found him. He is the first actor in his rescue. »

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