Trawler salvage called off

Teams from the recovery vessel the Norma worked all weekend

Salvage crews have called off an attempt to raise the wreck of the Guernsey trawler, the Chelaris J.

An operation to ready the boat for lifting from the seabed had been going on over the weekend.

But a strong northerly wind has forced salvagers to put off an attempt to bring the vessel to the surface on Monday.

The trawler is currently resting on the seabed on the Schole Bank, near Alderney.

There is always the possibility that the operation may be called off Captain Robert Barton, Guernsey Harbourmaster

Divers from the salvage ship Norma had been rigging strops on the fishing vessel, which sank with the loss of four lives, including Guernseyman Martyn Lane, last month.

The Norma is to return to St Peter Port, where salvers and Marine Accident Investigator Branch (MAIB) staff will look into when they can bring the trawler back to the surface.

Guernsey's Harbourmaster, Captain Robert Barton, said: "Overnight, the weather conditions deteriorated and they were beginning to drag their anchors. They are having to leave the scene.

"When the Norma returns, we will review the situation with the salvers and the MAIB, and look into the weather forecast and remaining tidal window.

"We need to sit down and give it some very serious thought."

'Best effort'

However, the weather will play a vital role as to whether the ship can be raised at all.

Captain Barton said: "There is always the possibility that the operation may be called off. There is a limit to what you can do, but we want to give it our best effort.

"The sooner we get her up, if possible, the better.

"She isn't suffering from any particular damage, although she has been settling into the sand a bit more than we would have hoped."

Investigators hope raising the boat will reveal what caused her to sink.

If the vessel is raised, the trawler will be taken to a UK port for examination.