The vessels were deployed amid concerns of a possible blockade of Jersey by French boats. As of Thursday morning, up to 60 vessels were reported off Jersey's south coast, near the island's capital St Helier, as part of a demonstration by French fishermen. Some let off flares but the protest has so far remained peaceful, according to the Jersey Evening Post. There had been worries about more direct action by the demonstrators. Paul Luxon, the chief executive of Condor Ferries, posted on Twitter that the Commodore Goodwill freight ferry had been "trapped" in St Helier harbour. However, it was later reported the vessel would be allowed to leave.