Securing navigators' sea outings
In August, the Secretary of State for Transport, the Sea and Fisheries, Frédéric Cuvillier, travelled to the Var to meet members of CrossMed, the coordination centre for Mediterranean coastal rescue. During his visit, he then raised the idea of setting up a roadworthiness test for boats, which would avoid "unnecessary" rescues due to damage, technical breakdowns...
The decision is a matter of debate since for sea lovers, the boat represents freedom and setting up control operations would taint it. However, for Frédéric Cuvillier, the sea "is precisely an area of freedom only if the safety rules are respected" . He adds that freedom is not a reason" to break free from the rules." . The idea should be studied in the autumn in Brussels, in collaboration with "professionals and actors in the maritime world" to see if other European initiatives of this kind have already been mentioned.
Interventions at sea of various kinds
Based on CrossMed's interventions this summer, 40% are for personal rescue operations and 60% for interventions related to damage, technical failures, groundings, where human life is not in immediate danger.
Opinions divided between professionals and yachtsmen
For most boaters, the idea of setting up a roadworthiness test is an unnecessary and expensive operation. It is up to them to check that the equipment is working properly. On the professional side, we are more favourable, but on certain points such as the implementation of the control before a resale, like a car.
