Three Brussels residents kitesurfed across the Channel for charity last weekend. While the initiative was well-intentioned, the Federal Mobility Ministry stressed that it is extremely dangerous.
Three men living in Brussels, Alexander Tanghe, Sebastiaan Haven, and Ward Verstappen, crossed the Channel while kitesurfing last weekend. They left from Zeebrugge and reached Ramsgate (England) in less than five hours. By doing this, the trio raised €12,500 for a humanitarian project in Madagascar.
However, competent authorities – in this case the Maritime Police, the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre, the Public Health Ministry and the Mobility and Transport Ministry – were shocked when they heard the news. None of them had granted a permit for the crossing, which made the operation particularly risky.
"The Channel is the busiest shipping route in the world. Several ships, as well as the Coast Guard, were surprised by three kitesurfers who suddenly appeared on the shipping route with an escort boat," the Mobility Ministry said.
Dangerous situation
Several ships – as well as the Coast Guard – were surprised by three kitesurfers who suddenly appeared on the shipping lane with an escort boat, they said. "A dangerous situation, because large cargo ships cannot react immediately. If they have to change course, it could lead to collisions with other ships or infrastructure such as wind farms."
Additionally, the trio's escort boat did not have an Automatic Identification System (AIS), which allows ships to see each other to avoid collisions.
The Mobility Ministry emphasised its appreciation for the action, and called it "a fine and admirable cause" but stressed that it "endangered the safety of the kitesurfers themselves, ferry passengers, and the crews of cargo ships."
Anyone wishing to practice water sports more than two nautical miles from the coast must apply for a permit. "Only in this way can measures be agreed upon that limit risks and allow for a rapid response in emergency situations."
