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The French authorities have identified a cargo ship they believe was involved
in the alleged hit-and-run sinking of a trawler off The Lizard with the
loss of five lives. Gendarmes have named Philippines registered Seattle
Trader as the vessel they want to inspect in their inquiry into the loss
of the Breton trawler Bugaled Breizh.
The Seattle Trader, currently on her way to Egypt, will be examined by
officers at the port of Cairo once an international warrant has been granted,
Reuters News Agency reported, quoting a source close to the investigation.
The Gendarmes will take with them a sample of paint taken from the wreck
of the stricken trawler and examine the bows of the Seattle Trader to
make eventual comparisons.
The Bugaled Breizh sank 14 miles off The Lizard on Thursday January 15.
She had been sheltering from bad weather at Newlyn when her skipper decided
conditions had improved enough to leave.
But at 12.40pm, Falmouth Coastguard received a distress call from the
French fishing vessel Eridan, which had seen the Bugaled Breizh capsize
and sink.
After a huge search, rescuers retrieved the bodies of skipper Yves Gloaguen
and Pascal Le Floch, but three others are still missing.
On Tuesday, French Secretary of State of the Sea Ministry Domininique
Bussereau had spoken of "interesting new leads in the investigation"
and said a statement may be made in the next day or so.
Meanwhile French President Jacques Chirac, visiting the port of Brest
in the Finistere department where the Bugaled Breizh was based, paid tribute
to the memory of the lost crew members.
"Whole communities are affected by tragedies of this kind,"
he said.
His visit coincided with the announcement of new French Navy surveillance
measures aimed what he called "yobs at sea".
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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