Jersey fishing community's fight for revival after storm

Connor Carré works on a boat damaged in the storm

Members of a Jersey fishing community have told of their path to recovery after the "worst weather conditions in 25 years" wreaked havoc on their bay.

A storm in late February caused extensive damage to boats and boatowners' huts at Bonne Nuit Bay.

Nigel Carré said two of his boats on the breakwater were damaged by gusts of up to 60mph (96km/h) and high seas.

While progress has been made on fixing boats, it would take time and money to mend the sheds, he added.

Nigel Carré and son Connor say two of their boats were damaged

Recalling the storm, Mr Carré said: "The water was coming straight over the top [of the harbourside].

"It washed all the boats along here basically off their blocks."

Neil Cotillard, from the Bonne Nuit Boat Owners' Association, said at the time that the "worst weather conditions in the bay in 25 years" had caused "utter carnage", with five fishermen's huts ripped off their foundations.

Among the floating casualties was Mr Carré's boat Helen of Lee.

Neil Cotillard said the boats were snapped off their blocks

Connor Carré, Nigel's son, added: "The boat itself was perched up against the railings - thank God the railings didn't give up because otherwise the boat would have probably sunk."

Nigel Carré said a crane was used the following day to reposition boats on their chocks, but many of these crafts had been damaged.

"I've got to get a new skeg [keel component] made for the back end because it was bent. And the boat next door to me - he has to get a new outdrive or a repair," he added.

The father and son said they were doing as much as they could themselves, but a specialist engineer would be needed.

They said it would take more time and money - as well as a specialist boat lift - to clear the area in order to repair the sheds.