The “Belem” prepares for the nautical parade
The pilot who will assist the Belem for the parade which begins at 11 a.m. should soon board. “The Old Port smells good”say Houari and Yassine, our two incredible chattering OM fans who have a breathtaking view of the Stade-Vélodrome.
Up there on the well-winded spardeck, the three guardians of the flame repeat the lighting of the torch for the umpteenth time. On the lower deck, the gendarmes of the Mediterranean maritime gendarmerie group are on edge. Walkie-talkies in hand, they pace the deck of the boat in the company of a well-known intervention group, ready to intervene at the slightest threat. They were called by their superiors.
Finally, Jeff, the head of the gendarmes on board, who had received information according to which there would be activists from the environmental movement Stop Croisières present somewhere on an island, has just confirmed that everything was under control. We won’t know more. The captain of the Belem is on all fronts, he must ensure that his ship is as orderly as possible. And stamp the logbooks of the sixteen flame scouts before “everything goes wrong”with dozens of media expected to board. “We feel a little dispossessed of our home”regret the young people, reflecting the general feeling.
Then there is excitement on deck. Dozens of boats escort us. At the wheelhouse, the captain, always very available and calm, explains: “The big red is the Marseille fire brigade, the orange and blue are the sea rescuers, the blue and gray are the coast guard. There are also the police. » On the other hand, the Seine who has been with us since April 29 and the entry into international waters has just left us, end of mission for the maritime gendarmerie tug. In the kitchen, Victor and Jean are busy. Today, no bell to ring the service. Continuous buffet with small duck casseroles and other delicacies for which they have the secret. Hats off to the chefs.