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The different organisations involved in the search for three fishermen, missing off the coast of Jersey, were due to meet before dawn this morning to decide their next course of action.
An overnight exclusion zone was put in place around the area of yesterday's collision between their boat and a Condor freight vessel to allow search work to continue unimpeded today.
Respected skipper, Jerseyman Michael Michieli was one of three on board L’Ecume II when it collided with the 126m Commodore Goodwill which was en route from Guernsey at 05:30 yesterday.
What's believed to be the wreck was identified following extensive searches by rescue authorities and members of the local fishing community yesterday, but Mr Michieli and the two others onboard - both Philippines nationals - were not found by nightfall.
The collision occurred off the north west coast of Jersey at St Ouen and debris was spotted on other beaches including Plemont on the north coast.
Pictured: Michael Michieli, the skipper of L'Ecume II.
In an update at 17:00, a Ports of Jersey spokesperson confirmed that searches were to be suspended overnight, with services due to regroup "before first light" to consider the findings of a search conducted by a remote operation vehicle - an unscrewed underwater craft - "before deciding how to proceed".
Jersey's Economic Development Minister signed a Ministerial Decision to stop the passage of vessels, diving, fishing and trawling in the area. Commercial shipping was rerouted eastbound around Jersey to avoid the search zone.
Pictured: A sonar image of what is believed to be the wreck of the fishing boat, L'Ecume II, off the coast of Jersey.
“The purpose of implementing an exclusion zone is to effectively limit the activity in the immediate area only to those with the professional expertise and authority to properly examine the area," Deputy Kirsten Morel explained.
“The French, Guernsey and Jersey’s emergency services and many fishing vessels, private vessels, drones, lifeguards, and honorary police officers have been involved in the search all day, and I am very grateful to them for their efforts."
Pictured: The Ministerial Decision signed by Deputy Kirsten Morel to establish the exclusion zone.
He added: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of everyone involved.
"We live in a close-knit community where the emotional impact of an incident like this is felt by many islanders.”
"We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst"
Fishing boat “believed to have sunk” after colliding with Condor freight ship
Pictured top: Various rescue and fishing boats took part in the search this morning - seen here from Grosnez Castle. (Rob Currie)
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