THE wreck of the trawler involved in a collision with the Commodore Goodwill has been located on the seabed in up to 50 metres of water, according to the head of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association.
The vessel went down off the west coast after colliding with the freight ship at about 5.30am. Jersey Coastguard has confirmed that the vessel has sunk.
A major search and rescue operation involving more than a dozen boats and aircraft is under way for three missing fishermen.
Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, released a sonar image which he said showed the boat on the sea bed.
He added: ‘One of our fishing boats has located the wreck which is three and a half miles west of St Ouen’s Bay. 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 co-ordinating a specialist dive team up in Cherbourg to go down there, but there is quite a lot to co-ordinate.’
He added: ‘We are still hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.’
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Chief Minister Kristina Moore said: ‘Watching this situation closely. Grateful to all of the French, Guernsey & Jersey services & fishing community who are searching for the crew. My thoughts & prayers are with the crew & their families.’
