French Trawler Maranello Sinks Off Plymouth, Two Crew Missing

Overview

• The Maranello sank Saturday after issuing a distress call that reported a problem with its fishing gear, and a nearby Saint‑Brieuc trawler recovered three of the five crew.
• Two crew remain missing and a UK‑led search-and-rescue effort supported by RNLI boats and French naval aircraft carried out intensive searches before operations were paused because of dangerous sea conditions.
• One of the three rescued crew was airlifted to a hospital in the UK for treatment and the other two were taken to Plymouth for medical care and support.
• Officials say rough seas with waves near four metres and reduced visibility made search operations difficult, and the maritime prefecture has opened an investigation into the cause of the sinking.
• The incident has shaken the Saint‑Brieuc fishing community and authorities will decide whether to resume searches after assessing safety and any new leads from the ongoing inquiry.