Three feared dead after fishing boat, cargo ship collide off Jersey
FISHING/AQUACULTURE WEEK
Three fishermen have gone missing and are feared to have died after their boat and a Ro-Ro vessel collided in St Ouen’s Bay off Jersey on Thursday, December 8.
The incident involving the fishing vessel L’Ecume II and the Condor Ferries Ro-Ro Commodore Goodwill occurred at 05:30 local time on Thursday.
The Jersey Coastguard reported that the smaller fishing vessel sank immediately afterwards, this being implied by the presence of debris in the area.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) deployed vessels to the area to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations. Also despatched were French rescue helicopters, a French Navy fixed-wing aircraft, a pilot boat and a tug from the Ports of Jersey, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and Good Samaritan fishing vessels.
Jersey Coastguard said the SAR effort was called off at sunset on Friday, December 9, following careful analysis of its findings. However, a large offshore vessel with an ROV will arrive in the island within this week to conduct a more detailed survey of the collision site to support the subsequent recovery phase of the operation.
An investigation has been commissioned by the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture in accordance with Jersey’s Shipping Law 2002. Maritime Standards, part of Ports of Jersey, will lead that investigation with support from the States of Jersey Police.
Ports of Jersey can also call on external organisations, like the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), if any extra technical expertise is required.
A parallel safety-focused investigation is being run by the Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Flag State for Commodore Goodwill, in collaboration with Jersey as the Coastal State party.
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