Two people are missing after fishing boat sunk in the Channel
Two crew members remain missing after a French fishing vessel, the Maranello, sank in the English Channel south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse, off Plymouth. A distress call was made on Saturday evening after the boat reported a problem with its fishing gear to a nearby trawler, the Stradale, triggering a large British-led search and rescue operation involving coastguard, RNLI and French assets. The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency said on Sunday night that the search for the two unaccounted-for crew had been suspended pending further information.
Of the five crew aboard, three were rescued by the Stradale before the Maranello went down, with one flown by helicopter to Truro Hospital and the others taken to Plymouth for treatment; all three are now returning to France. More than 15 vessels and several aircraft took part in the overnight search, including a coastguard helicopter, RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth, Plymouth and Salcombe, the French patrol vessel FS Flamant, and nearby French fishing boats. The MCA was first alerted shortly after 6pm on Saturday, and the operation continued through the night into Sunday.
- Two crew missing after French fishing boat Maranello sank in Channel
- Three of five crew rescued by another trawler, taken to hospital
- Large search involving 15+ vessels and aircraft now suspended pending information