Search for missing fishermen in English Channel concludes after vessel sinks
Two crew members remain unaccounted for despite extensive efforts
Last updated 31st Aug 2026
The search for two fishermen who went missing following the sinking of a French fishing vessel in the English Channel has concluded without success.
Efforts to locate the missing crew members began after a distress call was received from the vessel, The Maranello, on Saturday evening, and continued intensively over the weekend.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed on Monday morning that no trace of the fishermen was found after thorough searches.
Given the information available and limits of human survival in the current water temperature, the coastguard officially ended its search operations.
Three of the five crew members aboard The Maranello were successfully rescued by another trawler, The Stradale, before the vessel sank.
These rescued individuals are now en route back to France, according to updates from Sunday.
A variety of resources were involved in the search, including a coastguard rescue helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth.
The operation saw additional support from local vessels and was assisted by the French Navy’s Falcon 50.
The MCA expressed sympathy to the families and friends of the unaccounted crew members and gratitude for the collective efforts from all involved.