Stricken French trawler La Fanette update

The towing of the 24 m trawler La Fanette is a long-term operation. The boat ended up in trouble Tuesday night, off Cornwall.

Vesseltarcker provides this AIS track of La Fanette under tow from the tug Penzer

The towing of the trawler La Fanette, a 24m from the Porcher armament, in the Côtes-d'Armor, is a complicated operation, because of the difficult weather conditions at the moment.

The fishing vessel found itself in propeller damage Tuesday around 22 h. The hoisting of the six crewmen was a spectacular operation. Then, another trawler of the same armament, Farfadet, managed to catch one of the warps at the rear, and tow La Fanette in reverse. Rescue operations have been co-ordinated from the beginning by the Falmouth-Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in close contact with the Cross Corsen.

VesselTracker traffic density filter shows just how busy the shipping lanes are in the approaches to the channel.

Busy shipping lane:

The situation was very uncomfortable: La Fanette, still towed from the rear, at a very low speed, in the middle of the Ouessant rail. We know that it is one of the busiest maritime areas in the world. The batteries of La Fanette began to weaken. Which meant soon more lights, and more AIS signal, to locate the ship. All this in the middle of container ships and freighters in single file ...

Yesterday afternoon, the Caiman Navy helicopter managed to drop a GPS tag on the trawler. Last night, the maritime prefect of the Atlantic asked the shipowner to take all measures to secure the convoy.

Acrobatic situation:

Brest tug Penzer was mobilised by the insurance of the shipowner, arrived on the area this Friday morning. Around 8:00, he managed, finally, to transfer someone on board, who could pass a trailer on the front of La Fanette. So far, the trawler was towed from behind. The situation has become a little less acrobatic, even if the weather is still not very lenient.

The trawler is being towed to Brest. His arrival time is not known at the moment.

This was yesterday's update from the French equivalent of the MCA.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 22:30, the Regional Operational Monitoring and Rescue Center (CROSS) of Corsen is alerted by the trawler La Fanette that his propeller is engaged to 10 Nq (18 km) in the North-West of the Cape of Cornwall (United Kingdom).

The trawler L'Estran is diverted to try to tow La Fanette . After an unsuccessful attempt, the trawler L'Estran is forced to return to port after engaging his own propeller.

The operation is coordinated by the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) supported by the center of Solent with very regular overnight exchanges between the ship La Fanette and CROSS Corsen. Given the deterioration in weather and the risk of the vessel sinking, the Falmouth MRCC decided to evacuate by helicopter the six trawler crew members. They are safely deposited in Newquay on March 13, 2019 at 06:30.

At 16:00, after being diverted, the trawler Farfadet arrives on the area to take the La Fanette in tow and drive to Saint-Brieuc, its base port.

On March 14, at 01:45, the tug TMS Kermor, mobilized by the shipowner, joined the disaster area to secure the towing. In the day of March 14, twice, the trailer breaks. Due to the deteriorated weather conditions in the area, it is not currently possible to transfer personnel to the La Fanette vessel to pass a trailer from the front.

The La Fanette is then located 37 nautical miles (approximately 68 km) northwest of Ouessant, near the entrance of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). Immediately, an urgent notice to mariners ( AVURNAV ) is issued by the Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic to report the drift of the trawler.

At 16H07, the Caiman Navy helicopter is mobilized, at the request of CROSS Corsen, to drop a GPS beacon on La Fanette to prevent a possible extinction of its light signals and its AIS transmitter. The Farfadet and TMS Kermor vessels stay close to the La Fanette trawler .

At 8:10 pm, the maritime prefect of the Atlantic asked the shipowner to take all measures to secure the convoy before 15 March 2019 at 13:00. The tug of Brest Penzer, mobilized by the insurance of the owner, should be tomorrow morning on the area to tow the trawler La Fanette located 33 nautical miles (61 km) north of Ouessant.


Translated by Google.

#FishyFriday from France - Brexit: French fishermen worry about exit without agreement

It doesn't take much to loosely translate what these Breton fishermen are telling the reporter!

Two weeks before Brexit, London and Brussels have not yet reached an agreement. In Brittany, fishermen are worried about their future. Without agreement, the British waters will indeed be inaccessible from March 29, 2019 at midnight. 

In all, 120 ships are involved. A hard Brexit may impact the entire industry. This subject was broadcast in the 13h newscast of 14/03/2019 presented by Jean-Pierre Pernaut on TF1.


Other similar reports from fishing regions along the Channel:

Brexit. In Boulogne-sur-Mer, fishermen in turmoil dread "a catastrophe

Tired, under clouds of greedy seagulls, Boulonnais trawlers return to the port, loaded with soles, mullet or cod. But "strongly dependent" rich British waters and "in the fog" three weeks of Brexit, many fear "a disaster."

"In case of Brexit hard and without agreement, the sea will be brutally divided in two: English fishermen on one side, all Europeans on the other!" Stephane Pinto, a representative of these net fishermen of Boulogne-sur-Mer ( Pas-de-Calais ), reflects the general feeling: three weeks Brexit the fishermen Boulogne feel "in a fog " and many fear a "disaster" .

From the top of the wind-swept wharf, Stéphane Pinto points to the north-west the wide and invisible maritime border located at about twenty kilometres. "From here, you sail less than an hour and you are already in the English zone. We've been fishing 60% of our fish for generations! For trawlers, it's worse, it's 80%, "he says, feverish.

"I can put the key under the door"

In the European Union, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) allows all European vessels access to the fishing grounds of other Member States, provided that they comply with catch quotas. But with Brexit, the British government intends to recover its maritime sovereignty and the control of its waters, particularly large and full of fish.

A few meters below, at the foot of a wet ladder, five sailors arrive from the Nereids. "I spend half of the year on the English side. If I lose that, I can put the key under the door, " blows the boss, Jeremy Devogel.

In waxed trousers and suspenders, his employees unload their cargo on the pontoon: "100 to 400 kg daily" , depending on the season.

But "there is less and less fish. For four years, it's in free fall , " says Michael Baillet, drawn on the red bow of Providence.

"With electric fishing and all Belgian, Dutch and even Danish boats fishing 24 hours a day, the resource is running out. Imagine if we all have to tighten in an area twice as small ... What will we find in our waters?" , He loose, bitter.

"We will walk on our feet and it may go into a naval battle! " Warns Stéphane Pinto," first between French and foreigners, and even between different trades "Because gillnetters, fish farmers, trawlers or industrial deep-sea fishers, who do not use the same techniques, will be embarrassed "and there will be some breakage" .

"We are not compatible," confirms Christophe Marcq, captain of Don Lubi II, hands screwed on the rudder.

From his wooden cabin, he refers to the stern filled with thousands of square meters of white nets, knotted ropes and anchors: "30 000 euros of equipment, sometimes deposited all night at sea for miles, unattended".

Foreign trawlers, "three times bigger than us, tow their gear all night. If they know there is fish, they will cross our zone, even if it breaks everything , "he says.

"Every minute counts"

If, until now, the fleets had "found compromises and common ground" , the overpopulation "will break the balance and relaunch tensions," feared the captain.

Mareyage, transport, processing of seafood, packaging: for the industrial area of ​​Capécure and its dozens of warehouses, on the other side of the port, a hard Brexit would also be "very problematic" , assures Stéphane Pinto.

Employing "more than 5,000 people," and "processing nearly 400,000 tonnes of goods per year, the fish industry depends here half of the fish passing through England," says Frederic Cuvillier, PS Mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer Sea. Without a commercial agreement, professionals will have to "deal with customs duties, veterinary and sanitary border checks" on "fresh products for which every minute counts," he adds.

And if the Europeans still hope to negotiate access to fishing areas in a global trade agreement, British Prime Minister Theresa May, pressed by public opinion and supporters of the Leave on this "highly sensitive" issue , will not let go . She "could even use this subject to demonstrate to the English its inflexible side , " fears the former minister of Francois Hollande.

So, between the stalls of the fish market, uncertainty reigns. "We do not know what will fall on us, but we will continue to fight," promises Stephane Pinto, refusing to "see sinking passionate fishermen . "



Brexit. Norman fishermen fear disaster

"The rejection of the UK deal is bad news for fishermen."

Half of the fishing landed in Normandy comes from the English coast. The rejection of the agreement negotiated with the European Union by the British Parliament on Tuesday January 15th makes fear the worst to the profession.

The massive rejection of the British MPs of the agreement negotiated by Theresa May with the European Union anguishes the Norman fishermen. Half of the landings made by the 588 vessels in the region come from English waters. "For fishing, this decision of Brexit without agreement adds an additional concern to the already existing problems. It's going to make things even more complicated, especially for offshore vessels, "said Dimitri Rogoff, chair of the Normandy Regional Fisheries Committee.

Without agreement, the 1,500 fishermen from Normandy will lose half of the Channel. "It would be a disaster! " Confides Dimitri Rogoff. But a glimmer of hope remains. "The anglers across the Channel would have the same problems to come on our side. " And the area interests them: the naval battle last summer around the scallop shells is still in everyone's mind ...

For Dimitri Rogoff, "nothing is fixed or recorded yet for fishing. It is a small subject compared to the others but which can condition other negotiations ", he likes to recall.

The invasion of the Britons?

The Norman sees another pressure coming from Brittany that one. "The Bretons want permission to come to work in the East Channel. We are already saturated in number of fishermen." Do the Normans have to fear an invasion of their waters by the Bretons? "This is not the subject," says Olivier Le Nézet, the chairman of the Brittany Fisheries Committee. The main species caught in Normandy is the shell. It is not an economically profitable fishery for boats of 25 or 30 m. We are not going to replace the English with the Bretons. "

The 800 Breton fishermen also make 50% of their turnover in British waters. Without agreement, "with the Hauts-de-France and Normandy, at least 500 ships will return home," said Olivier Nezet. Forced to retreat to French waters, these deep-sea vessels will not benefit from fishing rights, that is to say rights to fish species under quota. They may therefore have to disarm. Their return would play a destabilizing role for the fleets already fishing off the French coast.


The chairman of the regional fisheries committee wants to believe that the sector can still escape the cataclysm. "If there is a new British government, nothing will prevent it from holding a second referendum, which will give another result."

Penlee and Sennen lifeboats called out to assist French trawler La Fanette adrift off Lands End.

Major rescue as fishing boat gets stranded in storm coastguard helicopter airlifts crew to safety.

Penlee and Sennen lifeboats both returned to Newlyn this morning - the weather being to rough at Sennen to allow the lifeboat to be retrieved.

Video courtesy of MCA/SAR crew from Newquay.

Six crew from a fishing vessel in distress have been airlifted from their disabled vessel off Lands End in atrocious weather conditions over night.The six crew on board were airlifted from the fishing vessel by Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter.

Speaking after this morning's incredible rescue, Captain Sharky Finn from Newquay Coastguard helicopter said: 'This is definitely one of the most challenging jobs we’ve seen at Newquay. We were flying into a Force 8 gale with 20ft high waves swirling beneath us and we could clearly see the fishing vessel disappearing beneath the swell as we approached.

'We had the support of RNLI Sennen Cove on scene who had tried to establish a tow line but were unable to do so because of the severe weather conditions.

'We tried a variety of different winching positions as the fishing vessel pitched and rolled violently underneath us before lowering a hi-line and then our winchman to the bow. The only way we could do this was turn the helicopter 90 degrees out of winds which meant we were effectively flying sideways. Needless to say, it was very challenging deck; it stretched the capabilities of both the crew and the aircraft. However, despite this pressure we were able to take our time and safely recovered all six crewmates and our winchman to the aircraft before returning to the Newquay base. We’re grateful for the support of the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team and the Newlyn Seaman’s Mission who met us when we returned.'

The trawler had been fishing north of the Scillys when her main engine failed...

she drifted SSE after the crew had dropped her trawl on the seabed to anchor her some 8 miles west of  Pendeen...

both Sennen and Penlee lifeboats were paged around 3am this morning to assist after the crew were airlifted off by helicopter...

the trawler is now being monitored by the MCA and coastguard as she drifts, abandoned, slowly south in heavy seas...

another French trawle, Alf stopped by briefly on her way steaming northwards.


The MCA reported the story early this morning:

HM Coastguard was alerted at around 10pm on Tuesday night to the 24 metre French registered fishing vessel, La Fanette which had suffered engine failure. Another fishing vessel went to assist and HM Coastguard requested the launch of Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat. Despite atrocious weather, Sennen Cove Lifeboat launched but due to 5-6 metre waves on scene and storm force winds, it was impossible for either the fishing vessel or the lifeboat to establish a tow with La Fanette. Penlee RNLI all weather lifeboat also attended.

The six crew on board were airlifted from the fishing vessel by Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter.

Penlee lifeboat Crew - Coxswain Patch Harvey, Mechanic Tony Rendle, David Pascoe, Ben Keogh, Andrew Wood, Jack Shannon, and Dan Sell.

"Six crew from a fishing vessel in distress have been airlifted from their disabled vessel off Lands End in atrocious weather conditions over night.

"HM Coastguard was alerted at around 10pm on Tuesday night to the 24m French registered fishing vessel, La Fanette, which had suffered engine failure.

"Another fishing vessel went to assist and HM Coastguard requested the launch of Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat.

This video was shot aboard the vessel some 5 years ago. She was built in 2012 by Socarenam for Armament Quirat Porcher-Lemaitre

The Fanette is now under tow from a sistership Faradet...

and expected to rendevous with the French tug Kermor around midnight tonight.

What? No fish?!

Wednesday's mid-week market in Newlyn sees the buyers gather around a couple of dozen boxes of fish from the netter Ocean Pride...

mindful of the fact that tomorrow and Friday will see the market devoid of landings...

with nothing to go down in the buyers' book...

and the minimum of work for the auctioneers...

as they sell the last of the boxes..

of black bream...

and ling

picked up by the buyers...

and taken for delivery...

while the fleet are all tied up...

the crew of the Penlee lifeboat will be heading off after their pagers went of at just gone 3am this morning - called to assist the French trawler, La Fanette which had broken down and her crew taken off by SAR helicopter from Newquay ten miles off Lands End.

Comparative table: Export processes for fisheries products & Brexit options.

On the back of the government's defeat in the House tonight the prospect of no deal looms - there are indications that the consequences of such move may have huge implications for trade.

All forms of Brexit raise new barriers to trade for UK exporters. The table below summarises the differences between the options facing Brexit UK for the
export of fisheries. Note: additional controls apply for the export of live shellfish and different rules apply to the direct landing of fishery produce in EU ports.

Other aspects of trade are also subject to significant change as a result of Brexit, including insurance cover, haulage, labelling and packaging. These raise
barriers over and above those set out below.

In summary:

• Current trading relations with the EU will change significantly. Frictionless trade within the EU is not possible for businesses located outside member states of the European Union.

• In terms of future trade options, the only certainty that approval of the Withdrawal Agreement by the UK Parliament will bring is that the option of frictionless trade (EU membership) in the future will be off the table.

• The avoidance of border infrastructure along the Irish Border can be avoided only if Northern Ireland remains within a customs union with the EU and aligns with Single Market rules for goods and services that are traded with Ireland. At the UK's request, to avoid a customs border in the Irish Sea if no new trade agreement has been reached between the EU and the UK, the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement provides that a single customs territory will be established comprising the EU customs territory and the UK customs territory. However, fishery and aquaculture productsare expressly carved out of the customs territory unless there is an agreement on access to waters & fishing opportunities.

Sarah Adkins MA (Oxon) MA MCIWM CEnv Solicitor.

Monday morning fish auction in Newlyn.

Auctioneers' Ian and Ryan both in full flow on the market this morning with fish from all sectors of the fleet...

like these big white fish roe from the netter Karen of Ladram...

brill...

John Dory...

and red mullet from the beam trawlers...

caught on video by Paul from Fish for Thought...

most of the big white fish like these blackjacks...

and hake came from the netter...

fish make their way out to the waiting transport...

name this large flatfish...

and the fish which sports a single dark lateral stripe...

there were a few good-sized tun gurnards from the Karen...

mini whole monkfish landed are now landed under the new Landing Obligation rules that require all quota species to be landed whatever their size...

looks set to be another cold but dry day after a very wet and windy weekend which saw...

several of the netters decide to hold off sailing until today...

and blew many of the beam trawl fleet back to port early...

so supplies of flats like these plaice...

and Dover soles...

sardines...

and mackerel were in short supply this morning...

twenty four hours ahead of the Brexit vote and there's a TV crew on hand...

to get opinion from fishermen and fish merchants like Godfrey Adams for Trelawney Fish...

about the kind of deal they want to see sealed...

or will the deal be put to the vote again...

or will it sink without trace...

work erecting the scaffolding over the fire-ravaged Fishermen's Arms, one of Newlyn's historic pubs...

is now nearing completion...

breakfast hunting...

and scavenging by the local gull population continues.

Fisherman wearing a lifejacket rescued alive from very rough seas after falling overboard from a Brixham beam trawler.

A fisherman who went overboard off the coast of Salcombe earlier this morning has been rescued by the HM Coastguard Newquay helicopter after being in very rough seas for an hour.  HM Coastguard was coordinating the large scale search and rescue mission for the missing fisherman who went overboard 25nm south east of Salcombe.

The fishing vessel made a Mayday broadcast minutes before 4.45am today and the HM search and rescue helicopter based at Newquay quickly made their way sent to the scene, alongside Salcombe and Torbay RNLI All Weather Lifeboats.  

A French Navy aircraft who has been training in the area at the time and a number of fishing vessels responded to a Mayday Relay broadcast issued by HM Coastguard and also joined the search.

The fisherman was located by his own crewmates at 5.45am and the Newquay Coastguard helicopter was alerted to his position and winched him from the water.  He had been in the water for an hour in 3-4m seas and 9 degrees sea temperature and was suffering from the cold.The Newquay Coastguard helicopter flew him directly to Plymouth Hospital.

HM Coastguard Duty Controller Dai Jones said: ‘We could not have hoped for a better outcome.  Our own Coastguard helicopter, A French Navy helicopter, along with a number of fishing vessels and the RNLI, had been searching for an hour this morning in very rough seas and challenging weather conditions.  Thankfully, the fisherman was wearing a lifejacket, which no doubt aided his survival and enabled his crewmates to find him quickly.  

‘By taking this simple safety precaution means that when he fell into the water his survival time increased significantly, despite the cold water and the horrendous weather conditions.   

‘This could have been a very different outcome today had he not been wearing his lifejacket and we commend his actions, which have assisted in saving his life.  We wish him a speedy recovery.’  

Speaking after today’s dramatic rescue, Captain Jörg Brunner from HM Coastguard Newquay helicopter said:  ‘This is an incredible rescue story.  We got the call to help just 5 minutes after the  fisherman had fallen overboard.  Despite horrendous weather conditions on scene with winds in excess of 60 knots, we were preparing ourselves for an extensive search and rescue operation.  The fishing crew had done all the right things and even from a distance we quickly spotted the smoke marker and the life ring they had released.

‘The fisherman was spotted by his crew about 40m on the starboard side of his fishing vessel, some 400m away from smoke marker position. ‘We flew towards that position and saw the casualty immediately as he was wearing a reflective life jacket. ‘We lowered our winchman into the water in very rough conditions and conducted a double winch recovery which only took about 2 minutes. ‘Once on board we flew straight to Derriford Hospital and handed him over to A&E department, where we have now heard that he’s doing well and in good spirits.’