NORMANDY TRADER

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Accident report highlighted lack of safety

The Ports of Jersey and a freight company have been told to improve safety measures after a 49-year-old deckhand of the 'Normandy Trader' slipped from a quayside ladder and fell seven metres deep between the ship and the quayside, breaking his leg, on Nov 21, 2024. The Jersey Maritime Administration's report found multiple safety failings contributed to the accident at St. Helier Harbour: The deckhand was not wearing a lifejacket and was carrying a rucksack while climbing the slippery vertical ladder with no fall prevention system. The company Normandy Trader Freight Services was told to review its risk assessments and Jersey Ports was asked to carry out a review of inspection processes of quayside ladders. It was likely he fractured his left tibia when he struck one of the ladder's securing lugs as he fell. He was still undergoing physiotherapy. Recommendations for the freight company included ensuring crew members do not climb or descend ladders while wearing rucksacks or carrying any items. Areview should take place into the possible use of a fall prevention device. The ladder was safe to use at the time of the accident but Jersey Ports should improve its safety through repairs and modifications. The accident had similarities to an incident in 2023 where a man died after falling between two ships on the same quay. Ports of Jersey should consider issuing a safety bulletin comprising of lessons learned from both accidents. Full report: https://www.gov.je/md/MDAttachments/Sustainable%20Economic%20Development/Decisions%20in%202025/MD-SED-2025-126%20FINAL-%20%20Jersey%20Administration%20Incident%20Report%20%20-%20MV%20Normandy%20Trader%20%20crew%20injury%20during%20egress%20to%20quay%2021Nov2024%20(4Feb2025).pdf

Ferry blocked by French fisherman in agner over post-Brexit trouble

French fishermen blocked the ‘Normandy Trader’ with 12 boats off the port of St. Malo on Nov 26, 2021, as they started a day of protests to mark their anger over the issue of post-Brexit fishing licences. The fishers lit red flares as they started their protest, which will be followed later on Friday by a planned blockade by other French fishers of the Channel tunnel and the port of Calais in protest at Britain’s failure to issue them with more fishing licences since the Brexit. Report with photo: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/26/french-fishers-block-boat-at-saint-malo-as-they-launch-brexit-protests

Landing craft recovered sunken yacht

On June 3, 2020, the 'Normandy Trader' recovered the s/y 'Aruba' which sank after running aground at the Minquiers reef in the nght of May 31, after it broke free from a States mooring buoy and struck rocks. Its three crew members scrambled onto the reef and were rescued in a joint operation by the RNLI and the Jersey Lifeboat Association. The landing craft and the Ports of Jersey workboat 'Halcyon' were able to position themselves close to the wrecked yacht in the evening and moved it from the rocks into a lagoon to allow a recovery attempt at low water. Once the yacht was in position and tide had fallen enough to expose the vessel’s rigging, lines were rigged, the mast removed, and the vessel was pulled onboard the 'Normandy Trader'. A small amount of gearbox oil and diesel were lost during the recovery, but the fuel tanks remained intact. The boat has now been brought back to St Helier’s New North Quay. Report with photos: https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2020/06/04/wrecked-sailing-yacht-recovered-from-minquiers-reef/