Vandalism paralyzes sea rescuers

After the firefighters targeted, the turn of the rescuers at sea? Since March, the National Society for Sea Rescue (SNSM), which is responsible for rescuing people in distress off the French coast, has faced a series of acts of vandalism and burglary.

The most recent took place on the night of Tuesday to last Wednesday on the island of Molène, about fifteen kilometers from the coasts of Finistère. The Zodiac of the association which was installed in the small port of the island was vandalized, the rolls of the semi-rigid having been lacerated with the cutter. Damage which requires costly repairs lasting several days and which, for the time being, deprives volunteers of a precious working tool.

It's as outrageous as burning a fire truck or an ambulance

Out of service, this tire made it possible in particular to intervene by approaching as close as possible to the coasts and rocks. “We are angry because this kind of act can have serious consequences. Those of costing the life of a person if we can no longer accomplish our missions ” , reacts the president of the SNSM, Emmanuel de Oliveira, who is worried about these new attacks. "It's as outrageous as burning a fire truck or an ambulance," he said. For the time being, as an alternative, the rescuers continue their activities with a boat loaned by a fisherman.

But, in Martigues, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, where this time it was navigation equipment that was stolen from rescue ships, the teams could no longer operate. The thieves, who acted during the night of Monday to Tuesday, took over GPS, radars or cameras. And as long as the two boats are not re-equipped again, the rescuers cannot act either at sea or on the Etang de Berre.

8,500 volunteers

This forced stop is bad. It worries the SNSM manager, which brings together 8,500 volunteers. Because the season which starts promises to be particularly dense. Due to the global epidemic of coronavirus, a number of French people remain in France and, after the confinement, they are increasing their nautical activities like never before. It's the rush on paddle or kitesurf. Last May and June, rescuers saw the number of their interventions take off with an increase of 25%, 500 more compared to last year. Now is not the time to let your guard down.

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However, in Calais, in the Hauts-de-France, where one of the rescuers' training and intervention centers is located, three burglaries that occurred between March and April dealt a serious blow to this structure, which lives mainly on donations . In total five Zodiacs disappeared and equipment was stolen, representing a loss of around 50,000 euros. While the team of the first flight could have been arrested, the investigation in progress has so far made it possible to locate a boat in England. Several others have been found… sold on the net.