To further encourage caution, the mayor of the French region of Berck-Sur -mer (Pas-de-Calais), Bruno Cousein, wants those who deliberately ignore the security instructions and behave dangerously pay maritime rescues, as published by the media.
This, he says, would be equivalent to a fine. “In a very short time, in 10 minutes, you can get caught, you have crossed 20 centimeters and you find 1 meter of water and strong currents,” said the mayor on the beach of the region.
On May 1, 30 people who were doing a picnic in a sand bank and had been warned of danger had to be rescued. “There are signs, but they don’t take them into account,” said the mayor. Since then, around 100 people have been rescued by volunteers.
“The volunteers warned the people and told them to leave. And 15 minutes later, we had to display great resources to rescue them,” said Cousein angry. “It is not about charging for the rescue, but to fine those who are reckless and endanger volunteers. This has a cost for society and volunteers,” he explained.
Not to mention those who “consider it normal and go home without making noise, without looking at them or thanking them, it is unacceptable,” he added.
