The Calais training center robbed
Between March and April, the training centre located in the Pas-de-Calais suffered three burglaries. 50,000 worth of equipment, including five flexible zodiacs, was stolen. A team of thieves was apprehended, some of the equipment was found in England, or in the right place..
Material stolen from Martigues' canoe
During the night of 5 to 6 July, the RIB at Martigues station was stripped of its onboard electronics. Radar, GPS and thermal cameras were stolen, preventing any rescue operation from this recently delivered boat. The area covered by the Martigues station is however very vast, including both the Etang de Berre (very popular with kiteboarders) and part of the Fos roadstead.
Molène's semi-rigid vandalized
The latest one is undoubtedly the most revolting, because it is purely free. On 7 July, the semi-rigid boat posted on the island of Molène was vandalized in the port . The socks were lacerated with a box cutter, resulting in several days of immobilization. This semi-rigid is however very useful on Molène, because it is the only boat of the station allowing to get as close as possible to the rocks. In the middle of summer, walkers are numerous and falls into the rocks are not rare.
An association financed mainly by private donations
Alas, land-based firefighters have long suffered this type of attack. Human stupidity no longer has any boundaries and is invading our waterways. Because many French people will stay in France during the summer, the season promises to be particularly busy.
Still reeling from the tragedy in Les Sables d'Olonne in June 2019, where three rescuers lost their lives during an intervention, the 8,500 volunteers will be regularly called upon throughout the summer. Collective vigilance is called for and solidarity with our guardian angels must not waver.
Remember that the SNSM is not a state service. It is an association that relies on the dedication and availability of volunteer rescuers and, for the most part, on the generosity of private donors.
