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Loved ones of those who died in last year’s tragedies gathered at the Town Church tonight for an emotional service to mark the one-year anniversaries of the disasters which claimed the lives of 13 people.
Family members and friends of those who lost their lives in the sinking of the L’Ecume II trawler and explosion at Haut du Mont sat alongside dignitaries, emergency services personnel and others affected by the shocking events which happened within 48 hours of each other on 8 and 10 December.
Giving an opening address at tonight's memorial service, the Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, said that the island had “mourned together” in the wake of the tragedies and that it was important to come together to remember the lives lost and support those left behind.
Pictured: The 10 islanders who lost their lives in the Pier Road tragedy.
Nine residents – 72-year-old Peter Bowler, Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 63-year-old Billy Marsden – were killed in the blast.
Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block and was injured in the explosion, died in hospital on Christmas Day.
Pictured: Jervis Baligat, Mick Michieli and Larry Simyunn were all aboard the L'Ecume II when it sank.
Government workers will fall silent at noon tomorrow to remember fisherman Michael Michieli and his two crew – Jervis Baligat and Larry Simyunn – who were killed when their trawler was in collision with the Commodore Goodwill freight ship.
Another silence will be observed at noon on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of the explosion at Haut du Mont on Pier Road.
Chief Minister, Dr Kyd, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome.
Each of us knows why we are here. We have either suffered a great personal loss, are supporting those who have, or we are responding as a community, showing solidarity with our friends, neighbours and fellow islanders who were hit by two tragedies in December 2022.
It is hard, perhaps, to comprehend that almost a year has passed since the terrible news of a maritime collision reached us and, so quickly after that, a devastating explosion took life and property in St Helier.
These two incidents were, of course, very different events but they were close together in time and it seems to me to be entirely appropriate that we come together on this single act of commemoration and stand as an island community to remember the victims who lost their lives on both land and at sea.
Each of these incidents alone would have been shocking but together they stunned our close community. Jersey felt the pain of the families and friends of those who lost their lives and rallied around those who lost so much. We mourned together in the wake of such tragic circumstances.
By long tradition, we are a people of the sea and our fishing community suffered an incredible sense of loss with the sinking of the L’Ecume II on the 8th December, with Skipper and crew. At the time of the incident our island fleet went in search of Skipper Michael 'Mick' Michieli and his crew, Larry Simyun and Jervis Baligat, without hesitation, a testament to the closeness of this small and resilient group.
Days later the residents of Haut du Mont would very shortly suffer a catastrophic life changing event. The report of the explosion in the early hours of 10th December shocked us all. Unexpected. Without warning. The explosion took hold of us all and we came together to do what we do best and look after one another.
This evening we are all here for different reasons – a son, daughter, a family member, an emergency responder, an old friend, an islander. By coming together, we remember those tragically lost and those deeply affected by the events of 2022.
Even after a year.... the loss of family members and friends may continue to be a struggle, especially as we get closer to Christmas, which is for many, a time to spend together with family.
For those who have lost, we are deeply sorry that you are suffering this pain. However, I hope you find some comfort in knowing that this island, our community is behind you, to support you at this difficult time.
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