Condor crew spotted L’Ecume II ahead of fatal collision, court hears

The Commodore Goodwill’s officer of the watch pointed out the L’Ecume II as a “dangerous” vessel to his second-in-command in the half hour before the two boats collided, killing the fishing trawler’s three crew members.

This was the recollection of the Goodwill’s lookout Artur Sevash-Zade (35), who is on trial this week alongside Lewis Carr (30).

Both men deny three counts of manslaughter in relation to the deaths of L’Ecume II crew Michael Michieli, Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat in the maritime collision on 8 December 2022.

This morning, the Royal Court jury heard interviews that the accused gave to the police, maritime investigators, and Condor’s health and safety head after the incident.

Earlier on the morning of 8 December, Mr Carr had sent Mr Sevash-Zade to have his breakfast, leaving Mr Carr as the only person on the bridge.

Mr Sevash-Zade was away for between 10 and 15 minutes.

In interview, Mr Sevash-Zade said that when he took over the role of lookout at 4.50am, Mr Carr pointed out L’Ecume II to him.

At the time, the fishing trawler was travelling at 7.6 knots and Mr Sevash-Zade highlighted it on his screen, allowing him to track it.

The two boats were still some distance away but on course to collide, the Goodwill’s systems had calculated – telling the Goodwill crew that they had a closest point of approach of zero.

“When I came back, the second officer showed me the boat,” said Mr Sevash-Zade.

“It was, I think, showed me immediately – a dangerous target. I said ‘ok’ and marked this target on my radar.”

Mr Sevash-Zade was sent to the bridge to remove covers from equipment as the ship prepared to approach Jersey, where it would need to be taken over by the captain.

The next time he saw L’Ecume II, Mr Sevash-Zade said “this vessel “close close close”.

“I see clearly a green light and I see this boat very, very close,” he said.

“I told Lewis: ‘This guy’s asleep there or no?’ because they were very close.”

Mr Carr sounded the horn, seconds before the collision.

After the collision, Mr Sevash-Zade went to the starboard wing to look for L’Ecume II, but couldn’t see it.

He said: “I asked Lewis: ‘Did you call the captain or no?’ But I didn’t hear the answer.”

Mr Sevash-Zade, who had been working for Condor since 25 October 2022, confirmed that his English was good enough for the workplace, and that he had passed an English test before he could be hired by Condor.

He held qualifications for an officer rank but was hired by Condor as an able seaman.

On the night of the collision, Mr Sevash-Zade was serving as the lookout for officer of the watch Mr Carr.

Mr Sevash-Zade said he was allowed to use the radars in the ship’s bridge, but that he wasn’t allowed to change settings, such as the range – which dictates how far into the distance the radar shows.

He said that while he was aware of the COLREGS – international regulations to avoid collisions – “all the orders that I receive I receive directly from the officer of the watch”.

Meanwhile, Mr Carr said in interview that he sent the lookout for breakfast and that he caught up on paperwork.

Mr Carr said that when he saw L’Ecume II on his radar, he turned the Goodwill by 10 degrees, hoping for the ships to pass each other.

He said L’Ecume II changed course and got closer, and that he had “about ten seconds” to react before the collision – so he blasted the Goodwill’s horn and turned it while still in autopilot.

“The fishing vessel was trying to cross the bow, I believe, and it didn’t make it across in time,” said Mr Carr.

He added: “From my perspective, the fishing boat was passing clear.

“It wasn’t a situation where I thought it was going to develop into what happened.”

The case is charged as gross negligence manslaughter. If the jury find either defendant not guilty, they can consider a lesser charge of endangering individuals, ships or structures.

The jury trial, now in its second week, is scheduled to last four weeks.

Commissioner Sir John Saunders is presiding.