During the night of Monday November 15 to Tuesday 16, sea rescue operations increased, with 272 castaways recovered offshore of the North and Pas-de-Calais coasts according to the maritime prefecture of La Manche. Last Thursday, three migrants disappeared at sea as they tried to reach England by kayak. This is why the Decathlon stores in Calais and Grande Synthe have removed kayaks and other boats from their shelves.
“We do not want to put our customers at risk when using our products” explains the brand of sporting goods. She does not say whether she saw migrants or smugglers buying kayaks to cross the Channel.
On the other hand, Decathlon explains leaving the products “making it possible to improve safety at sea”. So we can find vests, oars, thermal protection in Calais and Grande Synthe.
For residents who would simply like to take a stroll on the water, it is still possible to order the equipment online. And to pick it up in the store.
In each of its summaries of rescue at sea, the Manche maritime prefecture recalls that the weather conditions are often difficult in the strait. With 120 days or the wind is at least force 7.