The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed that the search for two missing crew members from a French fishing boat that sank in the English Channel has been suspended following an extensive operation. The vessel, identified as The Maranello, was reported in distress on Saturday evening, prompting a coordinated rescue effort involving multiple agencies and vessels. Despite the efforts, no trace of the two missing individuals has been found, and the search has been officially concluded. The incident occurred south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse, near Plymouth, where the MCA received a distress call just after 6pm on Saturday. The vessel, registered in France, had initially contacted another trawler, The Stradale, to report an issue with its fishing gear. The Stradale later recovered three of the five crew members before the Maranello sank. One of the rescued sailors was evacuated by helicopter and is receiving treatment at Truro Hospital, while the other two were taken to Plymouth for medical evaluation. These survivors are now traveling back to France. The search operation involved a range of resources, including a coastguard rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from both Falmouth and Plymouth. Additional support came from local vessels, many of which were French fishing boats, as noted by maritime monitoring services. The French Navy's Falcon 50 was also deployed to assist in the operation. Throughout the night, the MCA maintained an intensive search, deploying multiple assets to cover the area. However, by early Sunday, the situation had shifted, with the MCA announcing that the search for the two missing crew members would be suspended. According to the MCA, the decision to suspend the search was based on the lack of any trace of the missing individuals and the known limitations of human survival in the water temperatures of the region. The agency expressed gratitude for the efforts of all involved in the operation and extended its condolences to the families of the missing men. The MCA also reiterated that the vessel had indeed sunk, confirming the tragic outcome of the incident. The search-and-rescue operation saw shifts in responsibility as lifeboat crews from Newlyn and Salcombe took over from the initial teams in Falmouth and Plymouth. This transition ensured continuous coverage throughout the night. Weather conditions remained challenging, with moderate to rough seas and potential thunderstorms affecting visibility. The Met Office had warned of these conditions, which could have impacted the effectiveness of the search efforts. As the search concludes, the focus now turns to the recovery and processing of the wreckage, as well as the ongoing support for the surviving crew members and their families. Further details regarding the cause of the sinking and the exact circumstances of the incident remain under investigation. The MCA has indicated that additional information may emerge as part of the official inquiry into the event.
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