Crew lost in fishing boat collision remembered at inquest - Jersey Evening Post
by Megan Davies · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Crew lost in fishing boat collision remembered at inquest
by Megan Davies 5 June 20264 June 2026
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THE lives of three fishermen who died in the L’Ecume II tragedy were remembered yesterday as the inquests were formally closed.
Michael Arthur Michieli (62), Larry Ladion Sinyunn (33) and Jervis Ramirez Baligat (31) all died of drowning on 8 December 2022, when their fishing boat was struck by the Condor roll-on-roll-off ferry Commodore Goodwill shortly after 5.30am.
The incident shocked the Island and came just days before the Haut du Mont explosion, which killed ten people.
Condor crew member Lewis Carr was jailed last year after being found guilty of conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under the Shipping (Jersey) Law.
As yesterday’s inquests drew to a close, Mr Michieli, the skipper of L’Ecume II, was described as “a devoted family man and a stereotypical fisherman” whose life revolved around his family and his boat, L’Ecume II.
He was close to both of his daughters, the inquest heard, and time spent with his family was important to him – enjoying home-cooked meals, swimming, spending time on the beach and digging for cockles with them.
“His laugh was loud and infectious,” the inquest heard.
“He was incredibly knowledgeable… he ensured that those who worked for him were well looked-after.”
Mr Simyunn was remembered as a family man who was in Jersey for his first season working on the boat to support his family back in the Philippines.
The inquest heard that he was “the kindest person who quietly carried other people’s burdens”. He put his family first and took pride in his work.
“In small, everyday ways, he showed love when he could.”
Mr Baligat had also travelled from the Philippines, returning to Jersey for his second season on the boat. He acted as a mentor to Mr Simyunn.
He was “highly qualified and valued as an experienced crew member”, the inquest heard. “He was very helpful and capable in his work.”
Both men lived on Willow Farm and were described as “very good cooks” who took turns cooking on board L’Ecume II.
Mr Michieli’s wife and his brother attended the hearing, along with representatives from the police and the Law Officers’ Department.
Recording the verdict, the Viscount, Advocate Mark Harris, said there was no doubt that the collision had caused the three men’s deaths.
He read out extracts from the sentencing notes of Carr, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison for his conduct at the helm of the Commodore Goodwill.
Carr’s failings had caused the collision, the inquest heard.
Advocate Harris read out findings from the three men’s post-mortem examinations. Mr Baligat was found to have drowned, and Mr Michieli’s cause of death was probably drowning.
Mr Simyunn had a blunt force injury to the top of his head with bleeding and bruising to his brain and a lower leg fracture, which he probably suffered while he was alive and would have made him unconscious or reduced his consciousness. However, there was no way of knowing whether he was injured in the collision or before it. His cause of death was drowning associated with a head injury.
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