Minute's silence for three lost in Jersey fishing tragedy

Islanders have remembered the three men who lost their lives one year ago

A minute's silence has been held to remember the three men who lost their lives when the L'Ecume II fishing boat sank one year ago.

Public servants were among those to observe the silence as the Government of Jersey marked the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Skipper Michael Michieli, Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat were on board the fishing vessel when it sank after a collision on 8 December 2022.

The silence was observed at midday.

Members of the emergency services also observed the one minute's silence

'Fun-loving guy'

Mr Michieli's friend of 20 years, David Nuth, described him as "a great family man", with "an infectious laugh".

"One of the top fishermen I have ever met.

"He was just a fun-loving guy and it's going to take some boots to a fill that friendship, that's for sure," said Mr Nuth.

"The only thing left now is his family and they have to deal with his loss on a day-to-day basis.

"He's got two beautiful daughters, who's going to walk them down the aisle?"

David Nuth said Mr Michieli was "one of the top fishermen I have ever met"

Mr Nuth told BBC Radio Jersey Mr Michieli took him razor clam fishing when the tides were low a few months before he died.

He said a woman on the beach asked the pair what they were doing.

Mr Nuth said Mr Michieli invited the woman to join them, showed her what to do, and "she was laughing, she couldn't believe they came out of the sand".

When they finished catching clams, Mr Nuth said Mr Michieli asked "how much fun" did he have?

"I said I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with my clothes on - and he just started laughing, and he carried on laughing all the way up to the beach," Mr Nuth said.

"We had a great day, and we were soaked to the underpants... I thought we were going to do stuff like that again, but we're not, unfortunately."

Michael Michieli, Jervis Baligat and Larry Simyunn were killed in the tragedy

Mr Simyunn's sister Euniza Simyunn said her brother was a "good man" who selflessly helped his family in the Philippines by sending the money he earned as a fisherman back home.

Just two days after the tragic events at sea, an explosion destroyed a residential block of flats at Haut du Mont in St Helier.

The blast killed 10 people.

Those who died that day will be remembered with a minute's silence at midday on Sunday.

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