Divers Complete L'Ecume II Recovery

Friday, 5 May 2023 at 16:04

Specialist teams have left the site where the L'Ecume II went down following the operation's completion.

The teams' main focus was to lift the fishing vessel and locate missing skipper Michael Michieli.

Both goals have been completed, with the 62-year-old being found on 26 April by a team of divers.

Deputy Chief Minister and Chair of the Political Oversight Group for the Major Incidents, Deputy Kirsten Morel, says it was a humanitarian and evidential operation.

"Following yesterday’s (4 May) formal identification of Mr Michieli, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Michieli family at this very difficult time.

My thoughts remain with the Michieli family, the many friends of Mr Michieli, and our close-knit fishing community."

There were a few setbacks during the recovery mission, such as the vessel breaking up and the weather and sea conditions hampering efforts.

"The teams involved in the operation have worked in the face of significant weather and operational challenges, yet they successfully completed what they set out to achieve.

As the operation comes to an end, I would like to thank them for their hard work and resilience during what has been a complex and sensitive operation to complete."

States of Jersey Police will continue the investigation on land at a secure location at La Collette, where the vessel is resting.

The maritime exclusion zone has also been lifted so mariners can now freely cross the area without receiving a fine.

Operation Nectar is investigating what caused the collision between L'Ecume II and the Commodore Goodwill freight ship early in the morning of 8 December 2022.