The captain of Armen'Dèche Excursions

Thomas Moal
captain, instructor, sea rescuer

Captain 500, 750 kW engineer, SNSM (French Sea Rescue) coxswain, diver and former hard-hat diver, first-aid and boating-licence instructor.

The captain of Armen'Dèche Excursions in Les Sables d'Olonne

Thomas Moal — captain of Ty Papotte

Thomas Moal is an experienced captain devoted to the sea and to those who sail it. He holds the Capitaine 500 (master's certificate up to 500 GT) and 750 kW engineer licences, with solid technical and operational expertise built over years of sailing in varied conditions.

An active member of the SNSM (French Sea Rescue), he serves as coxswain on a rescue RIB — a role that demands composure, quick decisions and a strong sense of responsibility. His sea experience comes with broad versatility: trained swimmer, diver and former hard-hat diver, he is at home both at the surface and at depth.

Committed to passing on what he knows, Thomas is also a first-aid instructor and a boating-licence instructor, sharing his know-how with rigour and care.

A committed professional, he stands for safety, competence and a genuine love of the sea — for boating that stays measured and responsible.

Certifications & qualifications

Shipowner / Captain

Owner-operator and captain of Armen'Dèche Excursions: decisions, operations and conduct on board.

Capitaine 500

Master's certificate for vessels up to 500 GT.

750 kW engineer

Authorisation to operate and maintain propulsion systems up to 750 kW.

SNSM coxswain

Coxswain on a rescue RIB with the SNSM, France's national sea-rescue service.

MF1 diver / Hypoxic Trimix

Federal Instructor Level 1 (FFESSM) and Hypoxic Trimix qualification for deep technical diving.

Former Class 2A hard-hat diver

Former Class 2A hard-hat diver: French professional qualification for underwater work.

First-aid instructor

Teaching the gestures that save lives, with patience and rigour.

Boating-licence instructor

Approved instructor for the inshore and offshore French boating licences.

Our safety commitment

Certified equipment

Safety gear is checked before every outing. Solas-approved life jackets, Solas life rafts, EPIRB, AIS, VHF, radar, GPS — nothing is left to chance.

Systematic briefing

Every passenger gets a full safety briefing before departure: instructions, lifejacket, behaviour on board.

Weather watch

Conditions are tracked continuously. If there is any doubt, the trip is rescheduled or cancelled at no cost to you.

Care and warmth

More than a job, the sea is a calling. Every outing is driven by the wish to share it and make the moment count.

Book with peace of mind

Captain 500, 750 kW engineer, SNSM coxswain, first-aid and boating-licence instructor. Your safety is more than a promise — it's a calling.

Book with peace of mind
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