THE Saint Christophe I, which capsized alongside the South Embankment in March, remains in the crane slings following a ‘successful re-floating’.

The 24m French fishing vessel, the Saint Christophe I, capsized in the early hours of March 10. The crew of five – all French nationals - were rescued, safe and unhurt, but their five families have lost their livelihoods while the vessel is out of action.

The vessel was successfully re-floated on Saturday, April 2, by the 55m salvage barge Sea Devil.

Katina Read, Dart Harbour, said: ‘Essential seaworthy deficiencies as a result of the sinking are currently being rectified so the vessel can be cleared by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to leave the harbour.

‘Part of this work includes improving the watertight integrity of the vessel and sanitisation to make it safe for humans to work on board.’

Dart Harbour is still waiting for a date for the departure of the vessel and an onward destination. Until then, the vessel will remain in a berth suitable for its current state, which could be alongside the salvage barge or another berth in Dart Harbour.

Sea Devil is expected to depart on Thursday, April 14, by which time the Saint Christophe I will be seaworthy and will be moved to a Dart Harbour berth to await its next move.

Dart Harbour continues to work with the vessel’s French insurers and remains ‘open for business’ for visitors and berth holders.

A local Notice for Mariners remains in force notifying the position of the vessel and how it is marked. The notice can be found at http://www.dartharbour.org/port-notices/article/lntm-05-2016-dartmouth-south-embankment-salvage-operations-of-underwater-ob

Some local people are angry with the way the situation was handled and have launched a petition, with more information available in Friday’s Dartmouth Chronicle.