AN unmanned craft has started work to access and search the last remaining areas of the trawler which sank after colliding with a Condor freight ship.
The underwater robot has been surveying the wreck site following the collision between L’Ecume II and Commodore Goodwill which claimed the lives of three fishermen.
Ports of Jersey says that areas of the trawler’s deck and accommodation structure have been removed and that the final stage of the search is now under way.
In a statement, Ports of Jersey said: ‘MV Freja resumed her search at 5.30pm on Saturday and has removed areas of the deck and the aluminium accommodation structure from L’Ecume II’s wooden hull.
‘This has allowed an extensive search below decks. Work to access and search the last remaining areas of the boat has now begun.
‘MV Freja’s final task will then be to complete one last grid search of the seabed around L’Ecume II.
‘The Freja will then return to St Helier to deliver further digital evidence to the investigation team.
‘Ports of Jersey and States of Jersey Police continue to examine the digital evidence from the site and are evaluating any next steps.’
Skipper Michael Michieli and two Filipino crew – Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat – died following the collision off Jersey’s west coast.
Two bodies have since been recovered, although their identity has not yet been publicly revealed.
