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Valras-A new high-tech rescue boat
The Valras-Plage Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (National Society for Rescues at Sea, or SNSM) received a high-tech rescue vessel in January 2008, due to its reliability and its frequent and often perilous experiences with rescues at sea. Only six of this kind of craft exist in the Mediterranean. Here is the portrait of a boat equipped with the latest technology.
Two 500hp engines for Valras-Plage's new rescue launch! The seaside resort welcomed this nautical gem in January 2008. Out of the 18 of these boats produced in France, only 5 other Mediterranean ports received this type of high-tech craft: Port Camargue, Marseille, Toulon, Antibes, and Ajaccio.
Why such a distinction for Valras? Henri Caumes, an elected representative in the port department at City Hall, declares: "The Administration of the Société Nationale des Sauveteurs en Mer gave this vessel to the Valras SNSM in virtue of its dependability and good results." With 74 rescue missions carried out successfully in 2006, it is true thatValras deserves to be singled out!
Valras' rescuers have a long tradition, dating back to the creation of their first society in 1933. At that time, they went out to sea in the Amiral Zédé, an engineless whaleboat, 9.10 m long and 2.6 m wide. Onboard were 12 rowers and 1 skipper! One of their largest operations took place in December 1938. A Spanish freighter was in distress at Saint Pierre la Mer. The Valras Rescue Society succeeded in saving the 38 crewmembers in spite of the storm. From 1933 to the end of 2007, the Valras rescuers have owned only three rescue boats.
Consequently, the arrival of the craft is perceived as a major event for the resort. The new launch is on the cutting edge. Unsinkable and self-righting, it can venture out in seas of force 5, and even 6 (on a scale of 1-12). "Among its state-of-the-art electronics, the AIS system makes it possible to locate a lost boat by satellite, and, conversely, to be monitored by satellite constantly—as security for us", explained Didier Motis, one of the society's directors.
Patrick Toustou, President of the Valras SNSM, continued: "This boat enjoys an 18 hour range at 25 knots loaded", which allows the SNSM to carry out bigger operations more quickly, with that many more lives saved. The launch also includes a small, semi-rigid, Zodiac-type craft, and a 3-seat jet-ski with a rescue board. The Valras SNSM christened its new boat "Armand-Bezes", the name of the skipper of the motorboat "Lieutenant de Chauliac", in service from 1962to 1982.
The boat's arrival in Valras rewards not only the society's technical prowess, but also the work performed jointly by the entire unified, effective crew. "Among the 22 sailors in the society–including 3 girls–14 hold the PSE2 (Team First Aid level 2) diploma–the highest level of diploma in first aid. We also have a doctor", Toustou pointed out. The launch can intercede at any time of the day or night, and every day of the year. The volunteer crew sacrifices every Sunday morning to training.
Today, the Armand-Bezes is being used in an area from Agde to Gruissan and out at sea. Nevertheless, you should still be careful, watch the weather, and check your boat. Hopefully this article hasn't given you the desire to test out Valras' new vessel!
