A RIB in Trouble at the Capbreton Lighthouse

1. The Trouble at Capbreton Lighthouse

The video shows a Rigid Inflatable Boat near Capbreton lighthouse, France, getting into trouble by losing control and crashing before witnesses.

Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) have gained popularity for both recreational and professional use. They are especially popular in challenging environments like the waters near Capbreton.

These RIBs are celebrated for their durability, speed, and ability to navigate rough seas. However, as the video shows, some operators can find themselves in precarious situations.

2. Factors Affecting RIB Performance

The footage captures the moments leading up to the accident. It also highlights the importance of preparation and awareness in boating.

Factors such as wind speed, wave height, and currents can drastically affect a RIB’s handling.

It’s crucial for skippers to assess these elements before embarking on a journey.

Understanding the local environment is key.

The area around the Capbreton lighthouse is notorious for its unpredictable waves and strong currents.

3. Learning from Experienced Skippers

This makes it imperative for boaters to familiarize themselves with the region’s tide charts and weather forecasts.

Knowledge of the waters can be the difference between a safe outing and a disaster.

Additionally, it’s beneficial to observe experienced skippers. Watching how they navigate the waves offers invaluable insights.

Some boaters may utilize techniques like ‘punching through’ waves. Others might ‘surf’ down them.

These methods can drastically improve control and safety.

4. Training, Safety, and Psychological Preparedness

There are numerous resources available, including online forums and instructional materials, that can help new boaters learn these techniques.

Furthermore, the psychological aspect of boating is often overlooked. Skippers must remain calm and collected in stressful situations.

Panic can lead to poor decision-making, which can be particularly dangerous in rough water. Training sessions often include simulations of emergency scenarios to prepare boaters for real-life challenges.

In addition to practical skills, it’s essential to have the right safety gear on board. Life jackets, flares, and a functional communication device are necessary to ensure safety.

Furthermore, understanding how to use this equipment can enhance a skipper’s confidence when faced with potential trouble.

When it comes to training, I’ve shared numerous videos on effective techniques for handling waves.

These resources can be instrumental for both novice and experienced boaters looking to refine their skills.

Olivier Consorti’s OLM training sessions in his Mercury powered Ribcraft provide excellent examples of how to navigate turbulent waters. His experience and insights can serve as a foundation for skippers seeking to improve their capabilities.

Footage reveals tense moments before impact and the chaotic aftermath.

Ultimately, navigating the waters around the Capbreton lighthouse requires skill, preparation, and respect for the elements.

5. Key Takeaways for Safer Navigation

By understanding the risks and adopting effective techniques, skippers can avoid the kind of trouble depicted in the video, ensuring a safer experience for themselves and their passengers.

The video shared on the ALEX VIDÉOS CAPBRETON YouTube channel not only showcases the action but also serves as a learning tool for viewers.

Each incident can teach something new, whether it’s about the dangers of boating or the precautions that can be taken.

This emphasizes the risks of navigating turbulent waters around the Capbreton lighthouse. But trouble doesn’t need to happen.

Watch how other skippers face the waves — they read the water and choose their moment. They hold steady, waiting for the perfect time to move forward.

In this way you’re likely not to come into trouble.


You can watch the OLM training sessions by Olivier Consorti in his 200 hp Mercury powered Ribcraft.

This video was published on the ALEX VIDÉOS CAPBRETON YouTube channel.

“What I Love About the Atlantic 85 B Class Lifeboat”

Impressive Atlantic 85 B Class

No, these are not my own findings but those of Matias, an RNLI Sea Survival Trainer. (website).

In this video, he shows and explains why he loves this particular RIB, the Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat.

It is one of their fastest vessels in the fleet, built for speed, reliability, and efficiency during life-saving missions at sea.

The RNLI constructs its Atlantic RIBs in-house at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Additional work is also carried out at its Poole facility, ensuring a consistent and tightly controlled production process.

This allows the charity to maintain quality standards, keep costs manageable, and provide the best rescue equipment for volunteer crews.

You can find all impressive and very detailed specs on this page.


This video was published on the RNLI YouTube channel.

If you’re interested in more videos of the RNLI, dive in. And if you want to broaden your horizon on rescue, look no further.

RNLI Demo Atlantic 85 Capsize

RNLI Demo: a Lifesaving Drill in Action

I have deep respect for rescue teams, many of whom volunteer their time.

They stand ready in dangerous situations, always watching our backs, ensuring safety, and showing remarkable courage.

Their dedication inspires confidence, reminding us of the vital role they play every day.

The crew always reacts by moving toward the vessel. They collect the swim line. They confirm everyone is present. They conduct a welfare check.

During the capsize, one crew member may become trapped beneath the vessel. Another crew member heads forward to attempt a release.

Beneath the overturned hull, an air pocket allows brief breathing. However, staying there long is dangerous. Awareness of surroundings is limited.

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Passenger Paralysed for Life in Sea Safari RIB Incident

Passenger Paralysed in Sea Safari Boat Incident @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
The Lundy Explorer – 11 m Humber RIB

Prior to My Post About the Incident

It is not my intention to sensationalize this incident.

On the contrary. Here on RIBsONLY.com I share safety-related information to help ensure you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.

We always can learn, is my motto.

Let me be also clear. RIBs ONLY is also not a court. The UK based MAIB* presents facts and recommendations about boating incidents, but it is not a court either.

Know that the skipper holds full responsibility for all passengers on board, meaning persons and animals.

He/she is also responsible for the condition of the boat, all its equipment, including all safety items, and its engines.

The skipper makes various decisions to avoid any form of incidents. These include interpreting all conditions and applying knowledge of the area.

Assessing the weather and sea state is also part of their responsibility (more info about the sea state).

Safety always begins with common sense — and sometimes that means deciding not to go out on the water at all.

So now, let’s dive into the incident that happened at a very low speed. Our thoughts are with the 28-year-old injured passenger.

The text and link below is © Crown copyright, 2025 and was published on the 21st of August 2025.

Tip: if you want to know all the details of this incident, check the full report. It’s absolutely worth it: factual study and the narrative (page 3).

Synopsis of the Full Report of the Incident

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Stunning Arksen Pro Rigid Inflatable Boat

The Purpose-Driven Design of RIBs

Every Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) is designed with a specific purpose in mind (check this article). This characteristic is particularly evident within the professional sector.

It’s precisely to highlight this crucial distinction from the leisure market that I published this post.

On June 5, 2025, Arksen Pro released this promotional video highlighting its high-performance boats (website).

It is a new specialist division dedicated to advanced, mission-ready vessels and technical apparel.

This strategic move aims to serve professional operators across the commercial and defense sectors.

A key feature of these boats is their ability to carry jet skis. The jet skis are shown being deployed and used alongside the boats.

This video was published on the Arksen Pro YouTube channel.

About Arksen Pro

The Arksen Pro team is led by Andrew Whittaker and Jim Mair.

They collectively bring over five decades of British marine engineering and design expertise to this global venture.

The new division also incorporates Ring Powercraft, a long-established company within the Arksen group.

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