French divers study Jersey boat wreckage

Phillippe Claude Lesaulnier died in the collision

French divers have inspected the wreckage of a French fishing boat that sunk after colliding with a Condor ferry near Jersey.

The boat's captain, Phillippe Claude Lesaulnier, died in the crash in thick fog on 28 March.

French marine police are investigating the possibility of manslaughter and wounding charges.

They have interviewed the Condor Vitesse crew and have its black box, which records data about each sailing.

The French police should decide whether there will be any charges by the summer.

A team of 10 divers from the Cherbourg-based Gendarmerie Maritime filmed the wreckage of Les Marquises on the sea-bed.

Coutances prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said: "The parts of the Marquise's hull are visible.

Crew members of the Condor Vitesse have been interviewed about the crash

"The divers took advantage of fine weather conditions to carry out an inspection in order to assess the damage caused to the boat. They have recorded images of the boat."

Mr Gaudeul said that he was not able to say whether any individuals had been placed under investigation.

"At this stage we are collecting all the necessary evidence and a decision will be announced by the summer once we have concluded our investigations."