Two individuals are missing after a French fishing boat sank in the English Channel, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported Sunday. The agency described the crew members as "unaccounted for" and stated that the search for them has been suspended pending further information.
An intensive search commenced Saturday evening after a distress call was received from the vessel, identified as The Maranello. The boat had reportedly encountered issues with its fishing gear. The search efforts focused on an area southwest of Eddystone Lighthouse, off the coast of Plymouth.
French authorities confirmed that The Maranello contacted another trawler, The Stradale, to report its difficulties. The Stradale was able to rescue three of the five crew members on board before The Maranello sank. One rescued sailor was airlifted to Truro Hospital for treatment, while the other two were taken to Plymouth for medical attention. These rescued crew members are reportedly traveling back to France.
Over 15 vessels, including aircraft and numerous other small boats, primarily French fishing vessels, participated in the search operation. The MCA alerted to the situation around 6 p.m. on Saturday. Assets deployed included a coastguard rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth. A French patrol vessel, FS Flamant, was also dispatched, along with an additional aircraft from Humberside Airport. The Newquay-based R924 Coastguard helicopter conducted refueling stops but rejoined the search. A third RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Salcombe joined the operation in the early hours of Sunday.
The MCA confirmed the vessel has sunk. The search was suspended Sunday night.