Jean Ricciardi Lost
The 25 meter long, 250 gt fishing vessel Jean Ricciardi became disabled and later sank near the port of Sete, France. The Jean Ricciardi had suffered a total power loss in the middle of the night. This left the Ricciardi without lights and adrift. It kept drifting until it was aground under the cliffs near the harbour. A merchant vessel who caught sight of the Ricciardi contacted authorities. The merchant ship took the 2 crew on board who had been in the Ricciardi’s liferaft. A lifeboat was dispatched and freed the fishing vessel. The Ricciardi was taken under tow and headed for Sete. Just 800 meters from the harbour entrance, the Jean Ricciardi sank by the stern. Reports state the fishing vessel’s hull was severely damaged from the grounding. This allowed siginificant water ingress and the vessel was heeling. Without pumps, the fishing vessel flooded and then sank. The Jean Ricciardi now rests in 17 meters of water. No reports of injuries. No details on any pollution or salvage plans.
