MARIGOT–Work to put the French-side sea rescue’s repaired lifeboat Notre Dame de la Garoupe SNSM 129 back into an operational state to resume missions will take at least another week, SNSM Vice-President Jean-Claude van Rymenant said on Monday.
The vessel, severely damaged during Hurricane Gonzalo in 2014, arrived back on island on March 29, 2018, on the freighter Marfret Moroja following specialist repairs at a boat yard in St. Malo, France, and subsequent sea trials before her return to St. Martin.
SNSM 129 is back in the water with engines working, however, work continues to put back in place electronic systems, radar, VHF and other equipment. Van Rymenant said the repaired vessel is “like new.”
SNSM 129 ran on to the rocks in front of the Beach Plaza Hotel, Marigot, while attempting a rescue close to shore during Hurricane Gonzalo in 2014.
On November 2, 2014, a barge with a 100-ton crane was able to lift the 22-year-old vessel and take it to the Polypat boat yard from where it was eventually taken to Pointe Blanche for transport to France.
In the intervening three years SNSM has made use of its rigid inflatable boat Rescue Star.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75492-outfitting-of-snsm-129-in-progress-after-major-repairs
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