Two journalists have written a book about the sinking of the Bugaled Breizh fishing trawler off the Cornish coast in 2004.

The sinking of the trawler, on the 15th January killing all 5 crew members, is still surrounded by mystery. A report from the Bureau Enquête Accident (BEA) failed to ally concerns that NATO naval exercises, taking place in the area at the time, may have had something to do with the sinking of the Breton vessel.

The book, due to be published this month, will substantiate the theory that the Bugaled Breizh was hit by a submarine. The authors, who have been working on the book for two years, say they have uncovered previously unpublished evidence to support their claims.

In the book it is revealed that a NATO exercise and a Royal Navy exercise were taking place in the vicinity of the Bugaled Breizh at the time of its sinking and the area was populated by warships.

They also question why one submarine, expected to take part in the naval exercise, had to return early to repair serious damage, the cause of which remains unknown and why the French and English navies are refusing to comment openly on the tragedy.

The League first wrote to authorities in England and France in January 2004 expressing concerns. In November 2006 we again wrote to the French government expressing reservations about the way that the matter had not been investigated and called for a full independent public inquiry. A reply is still being awaited.

The authors Sébastien Turay and Laurent Richard are two experienced journalists who have spent two years investigating the sinking of the Bugaled Breizh. The book will be published this month by First Editions, contains 320 pages and will cost 19,90 € (ISBN 978-2-7540-0297-4)

The plight of the families of those lost on the Breton trawler has arouse considerable sympathy in Brittany. Two days before Christmas almost a thousand people staged a silent vigil in Quimper in support of relatives demands for a new independent enquiry.

Report (in French) at Agence Bretagne Presse:

(voir le site)

See also Celtic News Nos:

For related Celtic News items on this issue see Celtic News Nos:

2067: PUBLIC INQUIRY CALL OVER BUGALED BREIZH SINKING - Dec 2006 2057: BRETON TRAWLER - ENQUIRY REPORT ANGERS FAMILIES - Nov 27 2006 1978: BUGALED BREIZH - WHY NO ANSWERS - MEETING WILL ASK - Jul 29, 2006 1697: NAVY PLAY DOWN INVOLVEMENT IN FISHING TRAGEDY - May 2, 2005 1668: SCOURGE OF THE COLD WAR RETURNS - Mar 26, 2005 1648: MORE QUESTIONS FOR MILITARY OVER BRETON BOAT LOSS - Feb 12, 2005 1514: BUGALED BREIZH SINKING - NEW QUESTIONS - Oct 9, 2004 1497: BUGALED BREIZH - NAVAL UNIT DISPOSITION CONFUSION - Aug 23, 2004 1471: TRAWLER FAMILIES CAMPAIGN TO RAISE VESSEL - Jun 30, 2004 1464: ANOTHER MFV SNAGGED BY A SUB - May 15, 2004

See also earlier Celtic League archive on this subject at:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

03/01/07