08 January 2023
Sunday 8 January 2023 marks the one-month anniversary of the maritime incident involving the
L’Ecume II.
Deputy Chief Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “It is one month since a terrible incident took
away three members of our community.
“My thoughts remain with the families and friends of Mick Michieli and his crew, Jervis Ramirez
Baligat and Larry Simyunn. I would like to sincerely offer my thanks to everyone who has provided
their support to those touched by this tragedy, including people from Guernsey, France and the
Captain and crew of MV Freja, who were closely involved in the search and recovery operations.
“Our island’s spirit was demonstrated in the hours and days that followed this tragic event, as the
whole community came together to help both with search and rescue and to provide support to
the families.
“The Pier Road incident struck Jersey just two days after the sinking of L’Ecume II and, faced with
two equally terrible tragedies, our community resilience was tested but we came through. Our
fortitude has been recognised overseas and we have recieved many letters of condolence from
around the world, including His Majesty King Charles III.
“Government will continue to offer support to all those people who have been affected, as well as
to the investigators so that they can complete their work which, in due course, will enable us to
understand how this tragedy occurred and to learn from this incident so that all seafarers will be
safer at sea in the future."