On June 23, 2018, the operation"All at Sea" was organized as part of the National Day of Sea Rescuers - Thousand SNSM 2018 . All along the French coastline, yachtsmen, water sports enthusiasts and sea professionals paid them a fine tribute by covering a symbolic nautical mile. A sunny day to be found in the video below.
But the next day - Sunday 24 June - it was the Seine that adorned itself with orange colours for the"Tous en Seine" operation. In the wake of a dozen jet-skis and semi-rigid boats in the association's colours, nearly 200 Sauveteurs en Mer, from all over France, paddled for 1 hour from the Port de Javel Haut to the Parc Nautique de l'île de Monsieur à Sèvres, where the SNSM Paris Ile-de-France Training and Intervention Centre (CFI) is located.
The race was kicked off at 7.30 pm by Marie Tabarly - who is preparing to leave for her Elemen'Terre Project expedition - and Titouan Lamazou - winner of the first Vendée Globe in 1990.
François Gabart in the middle of the Sauveteurs en Mer © Julien Gazeau
Throughout the course, the rescuers were able to count on the support of visitors who came to encourage them from the banks of Paris. And among all these volunteers, François Gabart, record holder of the solo round the world race, was on the water beside them, and he was keen to support the association "The SNSM is the perfect symbol of seafarers' solidarity. Its volunteers are men and women of courage, who bind and protect all sailors, whether professional or recreational."
In support of sea rescuers, more than 300 representatives from the maritime world, including the French Navy, rescue organisations and SNSM corporate patrons, boarded the Liner, a yacht owned by Yachts de Paris. It was also possible for a privileged few - having paid for their seats - to have a front row seat for this show. A great initiative since all the profits from the operation will be donated to the association, whose funding is essentially based on the generosity of its private donors and the public.
This great sea rescue party thus closes Operation Mille SNSM 2018 and also marks the beginning of the summer period, a period conducive to the reminder of prevention and safety messages.
