An investigation is already in progress by the Brest maritime authorities into actions carried out during a protest by fishermen on the Saint-Brieuc windfarm site.
As the fishing vessels involved docked following the protest, they were met by police and maritime police investigators. The Atlantic region maritime prefecture had already mobilised surveillance vessel Trieux during the protest and French naval training vessel Lion was also present, both carrying police officers.
A judicial process is already underway into actions during the protest, which focused on offshore support vessel Aethra, which was engaged in preparing for the cables connecting the turbines yet to be installed.
According to the Atlantic maritime prefecture, officers observed protest vessels entering the restricted area and approaching within 500 metres of Aethra, as well as failures to comply with ColRegs and the use of distress flares.
Police also logged verbal threats made over the VHF of boarding and fouling Aethra’s propeller.
Aethra’s master took the decision to steam off, seeking to defuse the tension and to take his crew and vessel to a safer area.
Image: préfecture maritime de l’Atlantique
