There were shoreside Christmas honours this week for the French offshore sailor Jean Le Cam was awarded 'Officer in the Order of Maritime Merit' by the French Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, for his involvement in the rescue of a competitor in the Vendee Globe solo race around the world.
As Afloat reported on November 30th, Le Cam, the nearest competitor to stricken skipper Kevin Escoffier, plucked him from his life raft.
Le Cam, who will receive the distinction upon his return from his solo circumnavigation, responded [translation into English via Google] "Thank you for paying attention to what we do. When someone is in distress, you have to go rescue them, not just on the sea. Solidarity is not a vain word, it is part of the true values of human beings, even more in difficult times".
Jacques Caraës and Christophe Gaumont, respectively race director and president of Vendée Globe race committee, were appointed knights for their part in the rescue.