The pilot of the follower boat which capsized during the arrival of the winner of the Route du Rhum in mid-November in Guadeloupe, causing the death of two people, has been indicted for homicide and involuntary injuries, announced Monday the prosecutor of Pointe-a-Pitre. “The pilot of the boat which transported 11 people from the organization during the first arrival of the Route du Rhum, has been indicted”, declared the magistrate, Patrick Desjardins, during a press conference.
The pilot of the boat, “a young 21-year-old auto-entrepreneur”
“The pilot of the boat, a young self-employed 21-year-old, tourist guide during excursions in the Grand Cul de Sac Marin, was placed in police custody for twenty-four hours from November 17 and presented to a judge. of instruction which placed him under judicial control, with a ban on sailing and leaving Guadeloupe”, added Patrick Desjardins. Complaints have been filed by some injured victims, according to the prosecutor.
According to local media, a dozen people had boarded the boat following the winner of the Charles Caudrelier event. A judicial investigation has been opened for involuntary homicides and involuntary injuries by recklessness and non-compliance with security texts, also announced the public prosecutor.
Water loading from the front
The sinking resulted from water being pushed in from the bow which led to the pilot losing control and immediately capsizing, said Patrick Desjardins, “no one among the witnesses spoke of a collision with another vessel” . “No negligence or failure on the speed of relief, on the intervention of relief in view of the context is also to be deplored”, he continued. “The investigation is continuing under the control of the investigating judge, who will aim to verify the conditions under which this boat was accredited and chartered to be part of the official fleet for navigation at sea”, said Patrick Desjardins.
Regarding the stars rented by the Guadeloupe region and made available to the organization of the race, the general manager of OC Sport Pen Duick, Joseph Bizard had indicated Friday in a message written to AFP to have “transm (is) to the Guadeloupe region a detailed specification describing precisely the specificities to which we ask that the boats and their crews respond 24 hours a day”. Following the call for tenders issued by the Region, the “list of speedboats envisaged on the body of water is submitted to the Department of the Sea to give them access to the various regulated areas”, he specified.