a solidarity operation to recover the Girolata fisherman’s boat

After spending more than a month under 40 meters, the boat of the fisherman who died during the deadly storm of August 18 in Corsica has been fished out. L’operation, which normally costs between 20 and 30,000 euros was conducted free of charge by three teams driven by marine solidarity. The Georges II, refloated in Girolata under the moved eyes of the fisherman’s relatives and acquaintances, was then handed over to the family of Jean-Paul Diddens in Porto.

From checking the condition of the wreck, through the installation of parachute buoys to raise it, until its arrival at the port of Porto, the operation lasted 8 hours. It was carried out by three teams aboard as many boats: that of Maritime Affairs, that of a coral fisher and that of the company Mer et assistance. “Solidarity between men of the sea is natural”underline with one voice the seven participants of this moving intervention.

While Stéphane Pouthiel (Corsica Sea and Coast Department), Stéphane Solivérès (Maritime Gendarmerie) and Paul Fortini (Maritime Affairs) take care of securing the area, the coral fisherman Claude Di Domenico dives towards the wreckage, spotted 40 meters from the surface, assisted by his son Caesar. Once the boat has been checked by the latter and the parachute buoys installed, the members of the Sea and Assistance company Mathieu Bidali and Felix Ferrero are responsible in particular for sending the air which allows the buoys to bring the Georges II up.

Under water, the Georges II fortunately landed on sand. No hole is to be deplored and, when it goes up, the boat is in an impressive state. “It’s crazy, everything got stuck on it. I even see the buoys. It must have filled up all of a sudden”suggests the captain of the port of Girolata when he sees the boat arriving near his coast, still half submerged in the water.

It is once in the port that the boat is fully refloated and the emotion rises among all those who take part in the operation or observe it. “It brings back the memories of a fisherman who died doing his job. It’s difficult”, underlines Mathieu Bidali, very moved. On the pontoon, friends and acquaintances of Jean-Paul Diddens experience the same emotions on seeing the Georges II for the first time. Thanks to this solidarity operation, the village pays tribute to its fisherman as the boat leaves Girolata for the last time in the direction of Porto to be handed over to the family.