The maritime prefect presented the assessment of the summer season in the Méditerranée

With 3,113 coordinated interventions this season, 40% of which concern rescue at sea, operational activity remains sustained and slightly up (+3%, +5% of people involved). It remains, however, below the peak observed in 2022 (3,258 operations). During the season, 46 people unfortunately lost their lives (+84%). This increase particularly concerns swimming and underwater activities, including scuba diving.

SUSTAINED OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY

The trend observed on the coastline is confirmed with operational activity characterized by a high and now almost constant plateau for 5 seasons. The main identified causes are identical to previous years: the massification of access to the sea mechanically generates a higher number of less experienced users as well as an increase in the number of people likely to engage in dangerous or irresponsible behavior. At the same time, new practices have developed or become popular, and access to boating is now facilitated (peer-to-peer rentals, uberization, etc.). This has two main consequences: a greater number of users in a constrained coastal area (2-3 nautical miles) and less rigor in the knowledge of the sea's specificities as well as in the maintenance of vessels and safety equipment (especially peer-to-peer rentals). In response, constant efforts have been made to raise awareness and inform, control and regulate to ensure the safety of users at sea. 'All communication channels were used to further prevent and raise awareness among different categories of users. A particular effort was made on preventing risks for new practitioners and young people. Although the units of the Action de l'État en mer (AEM) were heavily requested during the summer period (flame and Jeux olympiques, Tour de France), continuous coverage and an agile system were maintained (more than 12,000 checks). With nearly 2,500 offenses recorded (+7%), the deterrent presence proved satisfactory. The vast majority of the offenses recorded are thus linked to safety, i.e., 44% for safety equipment and 40% for speed in navigation zones,' analyzed the maritime prefect.

DIVERSIFICATION OF PRACTICES

Vice-Admiral Christophe Lucas added: 'Changes in regulations allow for better regulation of practices. The speed of vessels and craft has thus been limited in certain highly frequented sectors (prefectoral decrees issued for marine protected areas: Estérel – Théoule-sur-Mer, Saint Florent, Cap d'Agde). The diversification of practices and the massification of access to the sea constrain flows in the coastal strip and characterize a trend that is not going to reverse, particularly on the Méditerranée coastline. However, accidents at sea must not be seen as inevitable: prevention nevertheless requires a good understanding and characterization of risk factors in order to reinforce the effectiveness of the campaign that will be conducted in 2025'. Finally, the maritime prefect of the Méditerranée further specified: 'Prevention will remain at the heart of the action of State services so that all sea users are aware of the environment in which they operate. User awareness will once again rely on a sustained, diversified, but also better targeted communication campaign. Prevention is only truly effective when combined with a deterrent presence and checks at sea. Thus, the agility of the system will be maintained next year with an extended daily presence, targeting of risk areas, and periods of high attendance. Controls will once again focus on practices that endanger the lives of users. Furthermore, the maritime prefecture will strengthen links with municipalities, which are responsible for the policing of swimming and unregistered craft in the coastal strip (0-300m), in order to better involve municipal police in these prevention actions'. •

AT SEA, 3 MAIN PRINCIPES APPLY:

To remember them, you must keep in mind the following acronym, PEA, life insurance at sea. • Prepare: Know the weather forecast, the characteristics of the area, be aware of your health status and that of your passengers, inform a relative of your intentions and planned return time; • Equip: Check your equipment, wear a life jacket and clothing suitable for the activity, have a working means of communication, be able to signal yourself visually to emergency services; • Alert: In case of difficulty, call VHF 16 and the emergency number 196 from any phone to reach rescue services (number valid everywhere in France).