MARIGOT–French-side sea rescue service SNSM intervened during the traditional Bastille Day Regatta when one of the participating sail boats got damaged during a collision rounding a buoy off La Belle Creole.
The Collectivité asked SNSM to be on stand-by for the two-day regatta. There were no incidents during the first day of racing on July 14 but on Saturday two boats collided rounding the mark off La Belle Creole. The boat Stay Up ended up with a hole on her side above the water line. The SNSM crew on Rescue Star towed the boat and crew back to the marina to assess the damage.
The third race of the regatta was cancelled.
SNSM noted Saturday’s rescue and towing of one of the boats was a coincidence as earlier on July 8, 2017, volunteers took part in a towing training session to be prepared for such an incident. Some 13 SNSM volunteers participated, leaving Fort Louis Marina at 12:45pm with the Rescue Star inflatable boat for the bay of Cul-de-Sac.
From there they towed a boat for one hour to Oyster Pond. This training was very useful for new recruits, to improve the technique of the approach and attaching towing lines, and to be familiar with all the equipment needed for towing. The training passed off successfully thanks to mild weather and a calm sea.
SNSM is committed to be fully prepared to intervene for any incidents at sea in the waters of St. Martin and neighbouring islands.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/67713-snsm-tows-boat-damaged-in-traditional-bastille-day-regatta
View comments
Hide comments