A long journey
The whistle it is equipped with emits a sound when passed through by the flow of air set in motion by the swell, thus constituting an aid to navigation in foggy or misty weather. After breaking its chain and probably drifting for several months across the Atlantic, the buoy found itself propelled by the recent storm Nils towards the beach of Gressier where it ran aground.
A new beach game!
Patrick Clement
Rémi Duquesne, deputy head of Porge’s technical services, indicates that the stranding was reported the next day to the Verdon-sur-Mer subdivision of the lighthouses and beacons service, which took charge of the matter. Contacted, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed the origin of the beacon, without us yet having precise knowledge of its former “home port”.
Christophe Boutin, head of the Verdon-sur-Mer subdivision of lighthouses and beacons, indicates that the recovery and evacuation operation of the 7-ton object is currently being planned and should be carried out by land in the coming fortnight. This type of recovery, whether carried out by land or, more rarely, by sea, is considered a routine operation which is not uncommon during periods of storms. We also do not yet know whether the beacon will remain in France or be returned to its country of origin. One thing is certain: the children will be sad!
