|
Five men survived the sinking of a Newlyn crabber which foundered as it
left a Breton harbour on Monday.
Julian Paul, part of W Harvey and Sons' fleet, was attempting to leave
Le Diben when she struck rocks.
The 50-foot vessel sank quickly but the crew, who have not been named,
were safely picked up by a French lifeboat and are now back at home with
their families.
Matthew Harvey, head of the family firm which is Cornwall's largest shellfish
business, told The Cornishman that the company was "extremely glad"
the crew were safe and well.
"We haven't spoken to them yet," he said yesterday. "There
will be an investigation but until that full report we can't say what
happened."
The vessel, made in 1958, steamed from her home port on Sunday and had
been working pots near Land's End before heading to France, where she
usually landed the catch.
She had been due back on Monday and had just set out for home when the
accident happened.
Falmouth coastguards became aware of the situation when it received an
emergency automated signal from Julian Paul via satellite.
Coastguards notified the Breton authorities, but found the situation
was under control and the crew were being rescued by a French lifeboat.
The sinking, in calm weather, will be looked at by the Marine Accident
Investigation Branch.
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
 |
