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On pontoons, the prolonged absence of an owner is quickly noticed. Moorings working, water seeping in, alarms going off with no response. In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Hervé Perrault decided to turn this observation into a professional activity. At the age of 55, he launched Vigilance voile, dedicated to boat surveillance in several Channel ports.
An idea born of pontoon observation
Hervé Perrault has been a frequent visitor to Chantereyne Harbour for over thirty-five years. Over the seasons, he's seen changes in usage. Many boats remain docked without regular visits from their owners, who may be several hundred kilometers away. This situation becomes critical during periods of bad weather or undetected technical incidents.
The Vigilance voile project took shape at the end of 2025, even before the Goretti storm. It is based on a simple logic: to ensure a regular human presence where automatic systems show their limits.
Surveillance adapted to all types of boats
The service offered covers both sailboats and motorboats, whether afloat or stored ashore. Hervé Perrault operates in the harbors of Cherbourg, Diélette, Carteret, Saint-Vaast and Porbail, with flexible formulas to suit owners' needs.
Surveillance can be set up on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. Occasional visits are also possible, particularly after weather warnings, damage reported to the port, or to accompany certain sensitive operations.
Targeted controls
More than just a glance at the mooring lines, the service includes checks inside the boats. Checking for water ingress, humidity, valves and the general condition of the boat are just some of the points monitored.
An exterior cleaning service can also be provided, subject to quotation, depending on the size and configuration of the boat. The aim is to prevent rather than repair, by detecting anomalies early on.
A career rooted in the maritime world
Originally from Boulogne-sur-Mer, Hervé Perrault is the son of a fisherman. He discovered sailing at the age of 5, and built up his experience on the water long before turning it into a profession. He moved to Cherbourg in 1989 to do his military service, and settled there permanently.
Now owner of his fifth sailboat, he continues to sail regularly in the Cherbourg roadstead and along the northern tip of the Cotentin peninsula. An active practice that feeds his knowledge of local conditions and the constraints specific to Channel ports.
