French fishing fleet blockades Jersey's harbour in protest
THE dispute between France and Jersey over access to local waters appeared to be escalating this morning as a large number of French fishing vessels massed around St Helier.
France despatched the warship Athos from Le Havre and it was travelling at 22 knots past Barnveille-Carteret at 8.30 this morning.
Britain has already stationed two warships off St Helier, with the French flotilla of fishing vessels further inshore, clustered around Jersey’s harbour.
Two Channel Island vessels were apparently blockaded inside – the tankship Sarnia Liberty and the Commodore Goodwill. The Goodwill was reportedly due to leave Jersey earlier this morning but remained in the port at 8.30am.
Talks are expected to resume today to resolve the tense situation, in which UK prime minister Boris Johnson pledged his ‘unwavering support’ for Jersey.
