The SPA (Society for the Protection of Annexes) warns against and denounces the illegal abandonment of small boats.

In 2020, there was already a 20% increase in the abandonment of small boats around French ports, anchorages and water points.
Purchased en masse with the arrival of warmer weather, these small boats, very popular as a means of transport, are then abruptly abandoned at the first sign of engine trouble...

A considerable increase in the abandonment of hundreds of pleasure craft tenders.

This is the grim conclusion reached by the SPA (Society for the Protection of Dinghies) in a press release published this Thursday, April 1st. Over the past 12 months, the National Society for the Protection of Dinghies has noted a 20% increase in abandoned "lightweight boats." These include 3D Tender, Sportyak, Plastimo, BIC 245, Highfield, folding boats, and many others! No brand is spared from this sad fate.

The reason? The sometimes impulsive purchase of a new annex with the arrival of the season and particularly following the first lifting of lockdown in March 2020.

The association writes that it has observed “ a direct correlation with the frenzied purchase of these types of boats in chandleries or on the Internet during the first lockdown, abandoned like mere consumer goods a few months later ”.

One of the offending owners, caught red-handed after attempting to abandon his outbuilding in a thicket, explains himself:

“ With the arrival of the season, I was happy to be able to sail again, and since I have my boat moored and I managed to save money during lockdown, I thought, why not! It's the perfect opportunity to buy myself some good equipment!” the boater explains. “So I opted for a brand new 2.4-meter plastic dinghy on wheels for convenience… ” he continues. “ At first, like many others, I rowed back and forth, but I quickly got fed up… After a few weeks of lugging it between my mooring and the shore, I was tired of it…” the fifty-something laments. “So yes, I was advised to get a small outboard motor to give me some extra motivation, but I already had one stolen after leaving it on the dinghy one evening… and I don't feel up to lugging it around anymore… you should see how heavy it is…!! A dead weight!! Anyway… There's no solution.” he justifies himself.

Strict supervision

Faced with this record surge in dinghy abandonments following the last summer season, Jean-François Dériveur, president of the SPA (Society for the Protection of Animals), is calling for stricter sales regulations. In the magazine Actu Plaisante, he explains: “ We are asking retailers to be vigilant and attentive to boaters in order to better understand their motivations and transform impulsive dinghy purchases into more considered needs. Beyond reprimands, which don't have a strong impact, ” he continues , “we want to support boaters by offering them new, simpler propulsion solutions to facilitate dinghy use and limit illegal abandonment.”