Inquests open into deaths of Filipino fishermen after boat sinks off Jersey coast

Inquests into the deaths of two fishermen who died at sea opened this morning (Friday 6 January).

Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat were aboard a Jersey-registered fishing boat, the L'Ecume II, when it collided with the Commodore Goodwill in December.

The skipper of the vessel, Michael Michieli, is still missing.

The collision happened off the island's northwest coast at around 5:30am on Thursday 8 December.

The search and rescue operation concluded at the end of last month, and the next steps of the investigation have begun.

Digital evidence, including survey video footage and other sonar data, will be examined by specialist teams over the next few weeks and months to try and establish what happened.

An exclusion zone will remain around the wreckage site.

The inquest heard that Simyunn and Baligat were first identified by their fingerprints, and the exact cause of death is still undetermined.

Two seperate investigations into the sea collision are ongoing - one to determine the cause of the crash, and the other to work out if any criminal offences were committed.

It comes as Jersey Police has launched a public appeal for anyone with information about the sunken trawler to come forward.

The force issued a statement on Friday 6 January, saying: "Police would like to hear from anyone with any relevant information relating to the collision who may have seen it, or that may have spoken to anyone involved on the morning of Thursday 8 December.

"Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is asked to contact the States police on 612612 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org."

A fundraiser was set up by Mick's daughter, Rebecca Michieli, who hoped to send £3,000 back to Larry and Jervis' families in the Philippines. It has now raised more than £100,000.