2023-11-12 19:44:56
It was almost a year ago. On November 16, 2022, in the early morning, a support boat capsized at the arrival of the Route du rhum, in Guadeloupe. While two people, employees of the organization company, had died, a judicial investigation had been opened for “involuntary manslaughter and involuntary injuries due to recklessness and non-compliance with safety texts”. One year later, a reinforced security system will be put in place for the various arrivals of the Transat Jacques Vabre, and in particular during the night from Sunday to Monday for that of the Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire, expected to be the winner.
“This accident has marked us all, a race finish is a celebration and there is no question of there being a tragedy,” underlines skipper Gilles Lamiré, responsible for the system and who in 2022 was in the race at the time of the sinking of the star. “I was devastated when I learned of the accident,” he remembers. I immediately called the Jacques Vabre organization saying that nothing will ever be the same again and that it was imperative to regulate arrivals for passenger and VIP boats. » The organizers of the Jacques Vabre thus put the subject on the table and put in place a new system.
“Before, we were within the rules, but we weren’t professional enough, people came with their boats,” explains Gilles Lamiré. This time, we are going beyond the regulations, because a race finish is something out of the ordinary. » In Fort-de-France, in Martinique, only professional passenger boats will be authorized to take to the sea. While the boats are open to 12 passengers, the capacity will be limited to 8 or 10 people. All will have to provide their identity – “we want to know who is on the water and ensure that each person is boarding the right boat, using color codes” – and will be equipped with life jackets and flash lights.
In addition to the captain, a co-pilot will be responsible for monitoring the environment. “Regarding the boats, the validity of diplomas, medical examinations and insurance were checked. We are going all the way so as not to take any risks,” underlines Gilles Lamiré, specifying that meetings took place to explain the conditions of arrival.
“From now on, all race finishes will be focused on safety”
“I know the evolution of racing boats, so we made the captains aware of how to sail during the arrivals. A racing boat can accelerate in a few seconds, so it is necessary to position yourself well and provide flexibility in navigation to avoid creating waves. » Last year, the sinking was the result of water entering from the front, which led to a loss of control by the pilot. This time, a perimeter has been set up and no passenger boat will be able to approach within 200 m of multihulls and monohulls. “We know that during arrivals, there is a concentration of boats, by putting a perimeter, we dilute the fleet. »
The speedboats will also be confined to navigation areas in the Bay of Fort-de-France, where the weather conditions are favorable. Only the race management and a production boat will now have access to the emblematic area of the Diamond Rock. Sixteen fishing skiffs will supervise the system, with state resources.
The new system generated additional costs, “but necessary” for the organizers who also had to communicate with the teams, the economic model of sailing based on the fact that sponsors can bring guests at sea, as close as possible to the boats. . “Everyone understands the need to regulate things,” says Gilles Lamiré. When sponsors entrust us with passengers, they send them to us with complete confidence. From now on, all race finishes will be focused on safety. »
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