Tag Archives: independent investigation
Report on L’Ecume trawler sinking goes to Law Officers
A ‘complex’ file of evidence on the fatal collision between Condor’s Commodore Goodwill and the L’Ecume II trawler has been handed to the Law Officers Department by the States police. A similar file on the Pier Road explosion will be submitted to the department in due course, Chief Minister Kristina Moore has confirmed. The L’Ecume II sank on Thursday 8 December following a collision with the Goodwill freight ship off Jersey’s west coast. The boat’s skipper and two crew died in the tragedy. Given the “size and complexity” of the evidence file relating to the L’Ecume II collision, Deputy Moore noted that “it will take some time to consider the evidence” – although specific timelines for completion were not provided. >>click to read<< 14:21
Fishing Vessel L’Ecume II: Sunken trawler’s condition ‘worse than expected’
The operation to bring the vessel to shore was mobilised on Sunday, but has faced “unsafe” sea conditions. A specialist dive team and support crew with remotely operated vehicles (ROV) were deployed to the site. The first phase of the operation, a dive survey, began and found the wreck in “an unstable condition”. It said with that with high spring tides and a strong swell, depths had exceeded the dive limit of 50m (164ft). The States said the steel deck had dislodged from the vessel’s wooden structure, and although this had given divers an “access point”, it also posed a risk of trapping them. >click to read< 09:57
L’Ecume II recovery operation to start as soon as possible states officials
Herbosch-Kiere Marine Contractors Ltd, a specialist marine contractor, has been commissioned to raise the wreck of L’Ecume II. Herbosch-Kiere is experienced in wreck raises and they are familiar with Jersey, having previously worked on major marine infrastructure projects in the Island. Following the dive survey and exploration, the wreck raise will require a fair-weather window of five days to go ahead. Teams involved will be continually assessing the conditions to determine when the lift can happen. Once the wreck has been raised, it will be transported to La Collette where it will be stored at a secure location, under States of Jersey Police supervision. >click to read< 13:30
L’Ecume II sinking: Work to raise fishing boat to begin shortly
Divers are to begin an operation to raise the wreck of a fishing trawler that sank off the coast of Jersey. A specialist dive team is due to arrive later this week, the government said. It said they will initially be carrying out a dive survey “over the next few days” before the lift is expected later in April. The preliminary work will also involve an exploration of the wreck and collection of debris from the surrounding area. Authorities said the wreck of the L’Ecume II will be taken to La Collette, where it will be stored under police guard. >click to read< 08:54
In response to the Biden Administration’s shoddy wind farm approval
The House of Representatives today passed an amendment offered by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) requiring a comprehensive, independent investigation into the sufficiency of the environmental approval process for 3,400 offshore wind turbines along New Jersey’s coastline during its consideration of the Lower Energy Costs Act (HR 1). Smith said his amendment—which passed by a vote of 244-189 and is now part of HR 1—comes in response to the Biden and Murphy Administrations’ rush to install the massive wind farms around the nation’s busiest port without adequate study on their impact on the environment, marine mammals, the fishing industry, tourism, navigational safety and more. Video, >click to read< 09:07
‘Significant progress’ made with L’Ecume II investigation
More than 400 lines of enquiry have been recorded since the start of the investigation – Operation Nectar – with more than 300 now complete. The L’Ecume II fishing trawler sank on Thursday 8 December following a collision with Condor’s Commodore Goodwill freight ship off Jersey’s west coast. In a statement, the force said: ‘Significant progress is being made with the investigation and most of the evidential opportunities have now been completed.’ Family liaison officers continue to support the families of Mr Michieli, Mr Baligat, and Mr Simyunn in Jersey and the Philippines. The wreck of L’Ecume II is due to be raised once the specialist equipment needed to do so has been acquired. It will be held on land as part of the police investigation at a secure location, where a forensic examination will take place to recover evidence and record the damage. >click to read< 08:51
Police investigation into sunken L’Ecume II trawler launched
An independent investigation into the sunken L’Ecume II trawler has been launched by the States police to establish any criminal culpability. Andy Shearwood, a former detective chief inspector with Thames Valley Police, has been appointed as the senior investigating officer for ‘Operation Nectar’ and will work alongside Detective Inspector Christina Maclennan, former head of the Criminal Investigation Department at the States police. The States police will also be supported by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The L’Ecume II, skippered by Michael Michieli, sank after colliding with Condor’s Commodore Goodwill freight ship off Jersey’s west coast at about 5.30am on Thursday 8 December. >click to read< 09:45
