At the beginning of 1958, a decree made it compulsory for ships to carry the inflatable liferaft developed by Alain Bombard for the company l'Angevinière. But the fishermen were hostile to it. A series of demonstrations brought Bombard to Etel on 18 August to prove the reliability of his device against the formidable Etel bar, and what's more, near a still powerful fishing port. But the sea and the bar are very calm. The experiment, which was covered by the media, took place in a good-natured atmosphere, without any problems.
Etel bar, the dramatic experience
A second experiment in heavy weather is suggested. Bombard returned to Etel on 3 October. This time, the helm, "on the cross", got the better of him. The double wreck (the Bombard raft and the Etel lifeboat) claimed 9 victims, including 5 Etel rescue sailors, including the skipper of the boat, Emile Daniel. Bombard himself escaped. But the trauma is deep for all... Pride, negligence and bad luck got the better of the adventurous experimenter.
The tragedy and the fame of Alain Bombard made the shipwreck a national media event and even beyond. The headlines in the press featured it alongside major international events of the time (creation of the Fifth Republic, death of the Pope, natural disaster, etc.). Beyond the media outburst and the trauma for Etel and the maritime world, the experience marked a turning point in the history of safety at sea.
Very quickly, fishermen adopted and acclaimed the efficiency of the inflatable raft. The concept, which has since been improved, is now used on almost all vessels worldwide; Finally, following the technical investigation by the SCSN (Société Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufragés) into the causes of the capsizing of the "Vice-Amiral Schwerer", the lifeboats of the coastal stations will be improved to combine self-righting and unsinkability.
