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On May 21, 2025 in Arcachon, 8-year-old Benjamin Mano died after colliding with a fishing boat. The boat was driven by a professional sailor, whose tests revealed the presence of cocaine. Since this tragedy, his family has been campaigning for changes to the maritime legal framework, inspired by the existing provisions for road homicide.
A petition, the contents of which are below, has been put online in support of a bill:
"Madam, Sir,
On May 21, 2025, the life of our son, Benjamin MANO, was stolen by an individual who was unable or unwilling to respect the elementary rules of navigation on the Bay of Arcachon, by speeding at an excessive rate, aggravated by the use of narcotics.
In our view, this accident is the tragedy of a man's transgression of the rules, for whom society as a whole was unable to say "stop", unable to provide support before the irreparable happened.
We have therefore decided to support the fight of Madame PANONACLE, Member of Parliament for the Bassin d'Arcachon, who has been campaigning for many years for tougher legislation and the creation of a maritime homicide similar to road homicide.
Our approach is based on a desire to tackle this issue with the utmost calm, responsibility and determination.
The bill currently being drafted will close a major loophole in French law and will have the following objectives:
- Modification of the Transport Code to make it an offence to drive watercraft in maritime areas while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Detention of a watercraft whose driver is under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
- Suspension of boating licenses for operators who speed or perform dangerous maneuvers
- Suspension of boating licenses for drivers who do not respect bathing and protected areas
- Introduction of an aggravated regime for repeat offenders
This text will also be designed to reinforce prevention, which is the best way of combating risky behavior. We want this text to concern both pleasure boaters and professionals.
Benjamin was a little boy whose humanity amazed us every day. His kindness and altruism will guide us forever. He was also a little skipper with a bright future, and the sea accompanied his childhood dreams every day.
So that the sea remains a space of freedom, so that each of us can sail with serenity, so that a family does not have to endure the unbearable, and finally, to honor Benjamin's memory, we thank you for kindly signing this petition."
Cécile and Cédric MANO
The petition, which has already gathered 50,000 signatures, is available at the link below.
Benjamin's dad, whom we contacted, explained that the petition will be symbolically stopped on May 21.
