Nice extends its water exit assistance system along the coastline

On Monday, June 15, a water exit assistance device in Nice was presented alongside Éric Ciotti. An arrangement whose deployment has been expanded along the entire coastline. The objective being to strengthen accessibility and user safety.

A device intended for people with reduced mobility

It was from Ponchettes beach that Éric Ciotti spoke, while a swimmer illustrated the practical usefulness of the ropes.

This device is simple and inexpensive, but above all, it responds to a strong demand from Nice residents, particularly elderly people and those with reduced mobility, often faced with the difficulty of pebbles. “ It’s the charm of the Bay of Angels, but what sometimes complicates getting out of the water, especially when there are movements, when there’s swell “, the mayor recalled.

Anchored on the beach and descending into the water, the rope thus allows swimmers to have a support point to climb up the pebble slope.

As explained by professional firefighter Bertazzo, head of the Red Tower Fire Station and responsible for swimming surveillance for Nice’s company: “ this rope allows you to support the person and have a support point to facilitate the climb up. […] We’re pulling on the arms, it’s light traction, and being on your feet with support, it allows you to have this stability. “

A “local gesture”

The system was already installed with six anchor points on the Bay of Angels, to which the city decided to add ten more, positioned in front of each rescue post on the coastline.

Its installation period has also been extended since the device will be available until the end of September. “ I had committed to nearly doubling this simple, inexpensive device for sea access “, emphasized Éric Ciotti.

The choice to install the ropes directly in line with the rescue posts makes practical sense. “ They concern this public that already needs safety “, explains firefighter Bertazzo.

In case of difficulty, lifeguards can intervene quickly. A typical intervention mobilizes three personnel per station, with a station chief coordinating, a support vessel, and behind that, an entire ground-based system with a nurse or rescue equipment.

A reality on the ground well known to rescuers

On the ground, firefighter Bertazzo confirms. Under his command, 13 rescue posts are managed (ten in Nice, two in Beaulieu-sur-Mer) and a support vessel. He describes a reality well known to his teams: “ we saw them climbing up on all fours. So what we did was come down to help them. “

Marie-André, a tourist visiting Nice for the second time, remembers her first visit. She describes that she had “ a lot of difficulty getting in and out of the water.“ This time, discovering the cable changed everything: “ when I saw the cable, I was like: oh, that’s for me. “

For her, the stakes go beyond simple comfort: “ it reassures us. We’re sure we won’t hurt ourselves anywhere and that we’ll be able to return to the hotel uninjured. “

And after September?

The question of maintaining the ropes beyond the summer season was raised. The mayor showed openness: “ we will evaluate, and if in certain places we can leave them year-round, it’s something we will consider. “

The winter reconfiguration of beaches and the absence of rescue posts complicate a permanent extension, however.