The recent death of Xavier-Luc Leblanc in Trou-d’Eau-Douce (see inset) lagoon proves the authorities’ intention right. The minister of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications, Xavier-Luc Duval, is showing a strong desire to reinforce laws concerning safety in the sea. With this in mind, he is currently preparing a new tourism bill to be introduced in Parliament very soon.

The laws that regulate pleasure boats are far from meeting safety requirements. A change in the law has been mentioned several times – recently after two French tourists were severely injured near l’Ile-aux-Cerfs – but this time, the minister seems very determined. “There is negligence as far as pleasure boats are concerned since the law is not appropriate and neither the Tourism Authority or the coastguards have enough powers,” explained the minister.

The Tourism Authority has already started showing more severity against a number of operators. This is how six catamarans have lost their operation permits, for instance. A new regulation differentiating between boats in and out of the lagoon has also been implemented.

But the ministry doesn’t want to stop there. To achieve more security at sea, the training of skippers appears as a top priority. Hence, the ministry is thinking of speeding up their training.

If the authorities show much interest in people’s safety, the security of sea creatures – particularly dolphins – is also close to the minister’s heart. New regulations concerning some operators’ attitudes towards dolphins should be implemented even before the the new tourism bill. The tourism authority will determine a certain distance not to be passed on pain of seeing their permits removed. Of course, such a measure will ensure the dolphins’ welfare. But this activity is also becoming quite important and it is a matter of ensuring its survival.

<B>Tragic accident at île-aux-cerfs</B>

The police are continuing their investigation on the death of Xavier-Luc Leblanc who died after the boat’s propeller sectioned his brain. They seem to be faced with contradictory versions about what happened and will need some time before being able to clear up the circumstances of the 16 year-old adolescent’s death. His 19 year-old cousin, who was driving his uncle’s boat, has been provisionally charged with manslaughter. He went to the police last Friday after leaving Darne private clinic, and told them it was an accident. They were coming back from a day out in Île-aux-cerfs last Monday afternoon when Xavier-Luc suddenly fell in the water. Moreover, Xavier-Luc’s parents are adamant that they do not feel any anger; they know it was an accident. Xavier-Luc, who was gifted in sports and in his studies, will not be able join his sister in France for his tertiary studies, as planned…