Sea-Doo Collaborates with Rescue Federation for Enhanced Safety During Paris 2024 Olympics

Sea-Doo, a leading brand of BRP Inc., which manufactures sports vehicles and marine products is collaborating with the French Federation for Rescue and First Aid (FFSS) in preparation for this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympics. The company is supplying the FFSS with a dozen of personal watercraft and rescue equipment, to ensure the safety of athletes participating in aquatic events.

Sea-Doo takes water safety very seriously and is committed to promoting BRP’s Responsible Rider program daily to help personal watercraft operators remain vigilant while navigating, prioritize safety, adopt good driving practices, and protect the environment.

Progressive Equipping of Institutions

In France, numerous associations and marine-related institutions are increasingly equipping themselves with personal watercraft. These vehicles’ function extends beyond leisure; they can save lives by enabling rapid rescue in aquatic environments. The FFSS has been using Sea-Doo personal watercraft since last year.

Behind the Scenes of Event Safety

Kamil Belkhelladi, Project Manager for Health and Rescue at Major Events, operates behind the scenes of these sporting events. He has observed the evolving needs of organizers and their changing perception of personal watercraft in recent years:

“Sports event organizers are just beginning to discover the use of personal watercraft for securing aquatic events. These machines were previously associated solely with leisure use. Gradually, thanks to our field feedback, we have made them aware of the benefits of personal watercraft for moving on the water and assisting participants.”

Optimized Rescue Operations

Personal watercraft are starting to become a go-to option for securing sporting events, complementing traditional water safety solutions like kayaks and divers around buoys, Lionel Siloret, Deputy Director of Rescue Operations at the FFSS explained.

“We have received very positive feedback from sporting events where Sea-Doo personal watercraft have been used in recent years. Rescuers are in optimal conditions with Sea-Doo products: they offer greater maneuverability than other types of boats, allowing for faster movement and quick turns. They are positioned higher than on inflatable boats, providing better visibility of the rescue area. Additionally, Sea-Doo personal watercraft do not create wakes, so they do not disturb athletes during competitions, unlike motorboats. Importantly, there is no propeller extending from the hull of Sea-Doo personal watercraft, allowing rescuers to get very close to those needing help without risk.”

Sea-Doo’s collaboration with the FFSS exemplifies a significant advancement in safety measures for aquatic events, ensuring that the Paris 2024 Olympics will be both exciting and secure for all participants.