Ferry Crew Member Acquitted in Fishermen’s Death Case
- markdarrenwilkinso
- Sep 26
- 1 min read
A Jersey jury has acquitted ferry lookout Artur Sevash-Zade of manslaughter following the deaths of three fishermen in a 2022 sea collision.
Sevash-Zade, 35, was on duty aboard the Condor freight vessel Commodore Goodwill when it struck the trawler L’Ecume II near Jersey in December 2022, killing skipper Michael Michieli and crewmen Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat.
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on related shipping law charges against Sevash-Zade.
Second officer Lewis Carr, 30, was also acquitted of manslaughter but found guilty of breaching shipping law. He will be sentenced on 4 December and faces up to two years in prison.
The trial heard prosecutors argue both men ignored radar collision warnings in the minutes before the crash. Defence lawyers said the crew had acted responsibly and suggested visibility issues played a role.
Police described the case as one of Jersey’s most complex investigations and praised the victims’ families for their dignity.
