Two months after the passage of cyclone Chido, the 'Sauveteurs en Mer' (sea rescuers) of Mayotte remain mobilised to contribute to the reconstruction and securing of the lagoon.

On 14 December 2024, the Mayotte archipelago was hit full force by cyclone Chido, leaving behind a desolate landscape. Faced with this disaster, the SNSM lifeboat crew, based in Dzaoudzi, immediately took to the sea, despite difficult conditions and limited resources.

Initial findings and logistical challenges

Anticipating the ravages of the storm, the rescuers had taken the precaution of sheltering their RIB SNS 976 Tamani. As soon as conditions allowed, they assembled a crew and set out to survey the area around Grande-Terre to assess the extent of the damage. ‘Everywhere, there was nothing but debris and stranded boats, sometimes piled one on top of the other,’ explains Jérôme Sardi, in charge of the station.

The rescuers were called out by the 'Gendarmerie Maritime' (Maritime Police) to locate missing persons and take stock of the 300 wrecks littering the lagoon. However, a major obstacle quickly became apparent: the only marine service station had been destroyed, making the supply of fuel extremely complicated.

Improvised logistics to keep operations going

Thanks to the support of the Armies' Operational Energy Service and the 5ᵉ Foreign Regiment of the Foreign Legion, the rescuers were able to access a land-based refuelling point. They had to manually fill canisters, carry them to the quayside, then transfer the fuel into the boat's 700-litre tank using a funnel. A tedious task that they still have to repeat regularly while waiting for a marine station to come back into service.

Valuable help at sea and ashore

Once resupplied, the Sauveteurs en Mer stepped up their operations. In addition to their search and rescue missions, they were involved in refloating boats, cleaning up the lagoon and distributing humanitarian aid. In particular, they helped unload thousands of packs of water sent urgently by the Comoros.

Their commitment sparked an outpouring of solidarity. Many professional sailors and volunteers have joined the ranks of the SNSM to help clean up the lagoon. Olivier Berland, an active member of the association, emphasises the importance of this collective effort: ‘We are all passionate about the lagoon, and everyone wants to do their bit to bring it back to life. Right now, it's a real battlefield.

What does the future hold for the Sauveteurs en Mer de Mayotte?

While the reconstruction of the island is underway, the SNSM's activity remains uncertain. The yachting sector has been virtually wiped out, with few boats still seaworthy. Only local fishermen are gradually returning to sea.

The president of the SNSM station points out that, despite this drop in activity, the rescuers will still have their work cut out to make the lagoon safe and ensure that sailing can resume in safe conditions. With 300 wrecks listed, it will be a long time before the waters of the island of Mahor return to their former glory.