Jersey fishing boat crew still missing as search operation ends

A search for three fishermen who went missing after their boat sank off the coast of Jersey has ended.

The captain and two crew members of the L'Ecume II remain missing after a collision with the Commodore Goodwill ship just after 05:30 GMT on Thursday.

The Jersey Coastguard, RNLI, Channel Islands Air Search and local fishermen have been involved.

The Ports of Jersey (POJ) said all rescue options had "been exhausted" in efforts to find the men.

The search had entered a second day after the L'Ecume II sank in about 131ft (40m) of water.

Its captain has been named as Michael Michieli, the owner of L'Ecume II and an experienced and respected fisherman.

The POJ said: "All possible rescue activities [have] been exhausted in an effort to find the three missing fishermen.

"We are aware that this is very difficult for friends and family of the men, and we extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragic incident."

A remotely operated underwater craft will conduct a "more detailed survey" of the collision site to inform the recovery phase of the operation in the next week.

An investigation, led by Maritime Standards with support from police, has been commissioned.

The search by Jersey Lifeboat Association has covered at least 100 nautical miles.

Earlier, coxswain Andy Hibbs said: "We're pressing on with the search... [there are] many more to go," he said.

The decision to resume the search for a second day was made after reviewing the footage from a remotely operated underwater vehicle that was used to examine the sunken vessel.

William Jackson, from the Fresh Fish Company, said he had known Mr Michieli since he was a boy.

He said: "I've known him most of my life since I was a kid, he's part of the furniture down here, he's been here as long as I can remember as long as anyone can remember really.

"He's probably one of the most prominent fishermen on the island and in the community. I was just shocked, absolutely shocked the whole thing didn't make any sense really.

"He was here at four o'clock in the morning getting ready to go out and spirits were high and morale was high and there were perfect conditions, everyone was ready to go fishing and then you just hear that, and it's just sort of difficult to comprehend it."

Condor Ferries confirmed its freight ship had been involved in the collision.

Because its vessel is registered in the Bahamas, a separate "safety-focused investigation" will be run by the Bahamas Maritime Authority in collaboration with Jersey authorities.

Referring to the search being called off John Napton, CEO of the firm, said: "All at Condor are deeply saddened by this latest news and our sympathies are with the families, friends and loved ones of the fishermen at this extremely difficult time."

He said the firm would "continue to engage and comply with the authorities in the ongoing investigation into this tragic incident".

Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq said he was "deeply saddened" by the situation.

He said: "As a maritime people with a close fishing community, this news is particularly shocking and will resonate through our island.

"There will be an occasion to reflect on what has occurred, but at this time the families of those involved, and indeed those who are carrying out the coordinated and thorough search are at the forefront of my thoughts."

The Commodore Goodwill, which was carrying five passengers and 24 crew, was sailing from Guernsey to Jersey when the collision happened.

Commercial shipping has been rerouted to the east of Jersey.

Freight truck driver Richard Henry was a passenger on the Goodwill and said he felt a bang and then the ferry moved.

"I heard five big long blasts on the horn and then literally not a minute later we felt a big thud from the boat collision," he said.

"The captain was on it straight away, saying 'This is not a drill, all crew to boats'."

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