A major search and rescue operation was launched for three fishermen who are missing after their boat sunk off the UK coast this morning.
The Commodore Goodwill, a freight ship owned by Condor Ferries, and an 18-metre fishing boat collided at about 5.30am.
Rescue boats first received the call at 5.43am and immediately jumped into action.
In a sad update on Thursday evening, John Napton, Condor Ferries’ CEO, told the Mirror that the search and rescue operation for the missing crew had been suspended for today.
Debris from the fishing boat is said to be in the sea and RNLI's St Helier, the Guernsey lifeboat, and French rescue helicopters had joined in the search mission.
Mr Napton told the Mirror: "We have been notified by the authorities that the search and rescue operation for the missing crew members of the fishing boat has been suspended for today.
"This is a very difficult situation and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of these fellow seafarers as we all try to come to terms with what has happened.
"Condor is fully complying with the ongoing investigation which will establish the cause of this incident."
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for Ports of Jersey said a major search and rescue operation was underway in St Ouen’s Bay following "a collision at sea."
Shorty after, Condor Ferries confirm its freight vessel, Commodore Goodwill, was "involved in an incident north west of Jersey."
They added: "The ship departed Guernsey for Jersey at 04:41 this morning and the incident occurred at around 05:30.
"She is carrying five passengers and 24 crew and the Master remains in full command of the vessel.
"More information will be provided when available. All other Condor services are unaffected."
A spokesman for Jersey Coastguard added: "Coastguards called out the RNLI's inshore and all-weather lifeboats and two French rescue helicopters, Guernsey's RNLI all-weather lifeboat and a French naval fixed-wing aircraft.
"A large number of local fishing vessels have also joined the search.
"The Goodwill has now docked in Elizabeth Harbour and Jersey Coastguard is continuing to coordinate the response."
A spokesperson for RNLI told the Mirror: "Volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews from St Helier and St Peter Port launched before 6am this morning (Thursday 8 December) to respond to the ongoing search and rescue operation off the north west coast of Jersey.
"The all-weather and inshore lifeboat from St Helier and the all-weather lifeboat from St Peter Port are among the vessels involved in the search. For more information please contact Jersey Coastguard."
