Frantic search for Brit sailors as fishing boat ‘SINKS’ off Jersey after smashing into ferry in English Channel
A FRANTIC search is underway for three Brit sailors after their boat is feared to have sank after smashing into a ferry in the English Channel.
A mammoth freight ship crashed into the fishing vessel off Jersey’s west coast at around 5.30am on Thursday.
Jersey Coastguard confirmed Condor Ferries’ freighter, the Commodore Goodwill, was involved in the early morning collision.
A spokesperson said debris from the fishing boat was seen floating in the water and “the vessel is believed to have sunk”.
A skipper and two crew members are believed to be on board when it crashed, sparking a major search operation.
Two rescue helicopters, a French naval aircraft and RNLI lifeboats from Jersey and Guernsey have been deployed.
A “large number of local fishing vessels” have also joined the rescue mission in St Ouen’s Bay, Ports of Jersey announced.
CEO of Condor Ferries John Napton revealed their freight ship was “involved in an incident” while five passengers and 24 crew members were on board.
He explained: “The ship departed Guernsey for Jersey at 04:41 this morning and the incident occurred at around 05:30.
“She is carrying five passengers, 24 crew and the master remains in full command of the vessel.”
The Goodwill has now docked in Elizabeth Harbour following the worrying collision.
Freight driver Richard Henry, who was travelling on the freighter when the boat’s collided, sad he heard the ship’s horn sound repeatedly before a “big bang”.
He told ITV: “At about 6:10am we saw four or five lifeboats, and two helicopters flying around with big searchlights on.
“Even when the Goodwill boat turned around they had four or five big spotlights out.
“They were doing everything they could to find the people overboard.”
Ports of Jersey said in a statement: “Jersey Coastguard have been coordinating a major search and rescue operation this morning, after a collision at sea in St Ouen’s Bay.
“The Commodore Goodwill collided with a Jersey fishing vessel at approximately 5.30am. Debris from the fishing boat is in the sea and the vessel is believed to have sunk.
“Coastguards called out the RNLI’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats and two French rescue helicopters, Guernsey’s RNLI all-weather lifeboat and a French naval fixed-wing aircraft.
“A large number of local fishing vessels have also joined the search.
“The Goodwill has now docked in Elizabeth Harbour and Jersey Coastguard are continuing to coordinate the response.”
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