A search and rescue operation involving an Isle of Wight lifeboat is underway in the English Channel this morning (Thursday) in response to reports of a fire on board a vessel.

Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat has been launched alongside another RNLI All Weather Lifeboat from Selsey.

The 2 lifeboats have joined Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent at the scene of the blaze several miles out into the Channel, close to the main shipping lanes.

Island Echo is told that a Mayday distress call has been issued with the container ship AS Petronia responding alongside HM Coastguard assets.

The incident began at around 23:30 last night and remains ongoing at this time.

UPDATE @ 06:55 – Bembridge Lifeboat remains at sea more than 7 hours after launching into the darkness.

It is now known the casualty vessel is a French fishing boat called Grand Charles which left Port en Bessin yesterday afternoon.

Fellow French fishing vessel ‘L Alliance’ is now alongside.

UPDATE @ 09:33 – After some 9 hours at sea, Bembridge Lifeboat has now returned to the boathouse.

It has been confirmed that the reported fire on board the 19m fishing boat ‘Grand Charles’ – which had 5 men on board – was out upon arrival of lifeboats, who had to travel around 30 nautical miles out to sea to reach the casualty vessel.

Although the crew appeared safe, communications with the trawler were non-existent and conditions were lumpy. With this in mind, it was agreed for Selsey lifeboat to return to Selsey Bill, with Bembridge remaining on scene issuing regular securitee messages until another French trawler was able to take the Grand Charles under tow.

L’Alliance arrived at around 07:15 this morning and has taken the Grand Charles under tow back to France.

Bembridge Lifeboat was rehoused by 08:45.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard has said:

“HM Coastguard liaised with the French coastguard after reports of a fire on a French fishing vessel around 28 miles south of Selsey Bill in the English Channel on Wednesday night (August 31).

“Lifeboats from Bembridge and Selsey, along with the HM Coastguard helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent, were sent. The first call came in just after 11.15pm.

“The fire was out before lifeboats arrived. Another French fishing trawler has taken the damaged vessel under tow back to France this morning (September 1)”.

Don’t miss another story! Get the Island’s latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Stealing our fish or tried to.

let it burn. let them all burn maybe we might be able to replenish our fish stocks

Best to let people burn or drown then is it? So much compassion!

Oh poor Querty King, no sense of humour? It was a French fishing boat after all. The English do love to take the wee wee out of the froggiies. I am seriously glad Bembridge were able to help them. No comments about sending them the bill. (We can deduct it from the millions we pay them to keep the migrants from coming over here)

Best place for any french origin vessel is the bottom of the sea.

“L’Alliance arrived at around 07:15 this morning and has taken the Grand Charles under tow back to France.”

Obviously no economic migrants, erm i mean “refugees” were found on board then or they would have been brought over here and be in a hotel by now.

If you have a news story that you think we should know about, then get in touch.

You can also now send us Anonymous Tip-Offs.

Island Echo is a member of the Independent Community News Network and the Society of Editors.