CAESAREA TRADER

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Two men tried for manslaughter after collision with trawler

Two men are being tried for manslaughter before the Royal Court of Jersey three years after the collision of the 'Commodore Goodwill', now sailing as 'Caesarea Trader', with the trawler 'L'Ecume II' (IMO:.8554954), that claimed the lives of three fishermen, among them the skipper, aged between 31, 33, and 62, on the Jersey trawler on Dec 8, 2022, at 5.30 a.m.. Almost three years after the incident, the trial iopened on Sep 1, 2025. Following the investigation, two men, aged 30 and 35, from Condor Ferries, were charged with manslaughter. They will appear in court for a month. After six days of searching, two bodies were recovered. The captain's body was found in April 2023. This tragedy deeply affected the fishing community in the English Channel. The Jersey trawler was well-known to fishing professionals in Granville; it regularly landed its catch at the auction and maintained its boat at the Granville shipyard. The two defendants denied any inattention, while the court presents a series of failings: failure to communicate, avoid collision, or maintain proper lookout, supported by audio evidence. 20 minutes before the collision, the "L'Écume II" already appeared on the ferry's radar. Ten minutes later, alarms sounded. The two defendants were then busy with non-urgent matters, according to the prosecution. When they reacted, it was too late. The trawler was only a few hundred meters away. The ferry, sailing on autopilot, hit it head-on, at full speed. The trawler sank 40 meters below the surface. The trial before the Channel Island Royal Court is expected to last a month.

Ferry renamed and reflagged after being sold to DFDS

The 'Commodore Goodwill', now renamed 'Caesarea Trader', which served the Channel Islands for nearly 30 years, is to be repurposed to transport freight by the Danish-based DFDS. The purchase of the ferry will enhance lifeline freight services connecting Jersey with Portsmouth and St Malo. The ship reflagged under the UK flag, and renamed in homage to Jersey's Latin name, It will be overhauled ahead of its launch later this year, replacing the 'Arrow', the chartered vessel currently transporting Jersey's freight.

Ferry put up for sale

The 'Commodore Goodwill' has completed her last commercial sailing on March 27, 2025. She has been taking passengers and freight from Portsmouth International Port to the Channel Islands for the last 30 years, but her career has come to an end. On March 28 the ship berthed in Le Havre. Condor Ferries is seeking to sell the vessel. Report with photos: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/travel/condor-ferry-on-sale-portsmouth-port-5071464?fbclid=IwY2xjawJhwOdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkypGjsM8nHuzg4BZl0CVyt_jMr8bpq6sJh5Iln5NO1RfIBOBcolKrLbQMgi_aem_z1e4zvTVh1nVXcus6TV6zA