Poor weather conditions today hampered the resumed search for the body of a fisherman presumed dead since Tuesday.

A Coastguard aircraft and helicopter were on standby waiting for fog to clear to continue their search for 37-year-old Steven Weatherall. Mr Weatherall, from Hastings, told his wife Jane, who gave birth on Monday, he would be back by 4pm on Tuesday from a fishing trip.

Mr Weatherall was last seen leaving Hastings at 1pm on Tuesday. The alarm went up after the new father, described by friends as an "intelligent man" and a respected engineer "who could sort out most problems," failed to return.

A huge air and sea search involving two helicopters, an aeroplane and five lifeboats yesterday found debris from his 24ft My Sandra Jane, including a lifejacket, oil skins and survival kit, 12 miles south-east of Eastbourne.

A Coastguard spokesman said today: "The aircraft are on standby but cannot go out. We are waiting for more visibility as it's really bad. It is still too foggy out there."

Mr Weatherall's father Bernard, 65, spoke yesterday of his son's joy at the birth of his first child. He added: "He and Jane were just starting to settle down. He was only in the hospital at 9am yesterday. He was so chuffed with his daughter. They named her Maisie.

"Jane spoke to Steve on his mobile yesterday and he said he would be back by 4pm. Jane is utterly shattered. We all are. We don't know what happened. Maybe he fell overboard. The sea works in mysterious ways. This time it has dealt a cruel blow.

"Everyone involved in the search tried so hard but we're told there is no hope now. He went out on his own, which some people frown on. But Steve was very capable.

"He was such a level-headed, sensible guy. He used to be a steel erector but got bored with that and became a fisherman. He always loved it. He was very popular. There wasn't anyone on the beach he had not done a repair for as a favour.

"Money was a struggle for him and Jane. I don't know how Jane, who has two

children from a previous marriage, will cope now. We'll support them as best we can."

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