Jersey’s Royal Court will continue hearing details around the fatal collision between the Commodore Goodwill and fishing boat L’Ecume II, this week.
The case against Lewis Carr and Artur Sevash-Zade enters its second week, with the two men accused of manslaughter following the sinking of the fishing trawler on 8 December 2022.
They have denied the charges.
The collision resulted in the deaths of three men on board L’Ecume II, almost three years ago.
They were skipper Michael Michieli, and his crew members Larry Ladion Simyunn and Jervis Ramirez Baligat.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter and one count of conduct endangering ships.
Their trial started last week with the prosecution case led by Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit.
He opened the trial by outlining what he called a “litany of serious failings” by Mr Carr and Mr Sevash-Zade, who were the bridge crew on the Commodore Goodwill.
Advocate Maletroit claimed their actions were “negligent” and that the collision, which caused the deaths, “should never have occurred”.
He alleged that the defendants failed to maintain a proper lookout, monitor the trawler’s position, or act as an effective bridge team, and were instead making “non-urgent” preparations for their arrival.
During the first week of the trial, jurors were shown a reconstruction of the Commodore Goodwill’s radar signals. Audio recordings from the bridge were also played to the court.
Witnesses called during the first week of the trial included the wife of skipper Michael Michieli, Clare Michieli, who described him as a “well-experienced fisherman who is very passionate” about his work.
A friend and professional acquaintance of Mr Michieli, Captain David Nuth, emotionally recalled their friendship, describing him as a “genius” and “one of the most knowledgeable fishermen” he had ever known.
Other witnesses included former crew member Daniel Bordei, who praised Mr Michieli’s skill.
The case is expected to take another three weeks in court, continuing today.
More to follow…