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The head of Jersey’s Fishing Association says the community is “preparing for the worst” after discovering the wreck of a local fishing boat that collided with a Condor freight vessel in the early hours of this morning.
Three fishermen from the L'Ecume II are missing following the collision, which occurred around 05:30 as the Commodore Goodwill was en route from Guernsey to Jersey on its regular sailing.
A large number of local fishing vessels also joined the search, and the JLA self-launched.
Video: A timelapse showing path of vessels as Commodore Goodwill collides with fishing boat, and lifeboats and other fishing vessels scrambling to assist with the major search effort. (Marine Traffic)
“One of our fishing boats has located the wreck which is three-and-a-half miles west of St. Ouen’s Bay,” said Jersey Fishing Association President Don Thompson.
“It is on the seabed in about 40 to 50 metres of water and that depth is a challenge.
"There is no sign of a life raft and the Coastguard is currently coordinating a specialist dive team up in Cherbourg to go down there, but there is quite a lot to co-ordinate.”
Pictured: A sonar image of the wreck located by a fishermen, showing the vessel laying on her side 28 fathoms west of the island.
The Commodore Goodwill, which was carrying five passengers and 24 crew, sustained damage but returned to Elizabeth Harbour where it is currently docked and is understood to be undergoing inspections.
In a statement issued at 10:30, Condor CEO John Napton said the ferry operator “will fully comply with any investigation into the incident.”
Pictured: Lifeboats and fishing boats joined the search this morning.
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Fishing boat “believed to have sunk” after colliding with Condor freight ship
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