Thousands raised to support families of missing fishermen

Despite huge search efforts over the weekend, two men named locally as Adam Harper and father Robert Morley remain missing after their boat sank off Newhaven on Saturday morning.

Tony Rowe started a GoFundMe page called "raising funds to support those affected by Joanna C" - the name of the boat that sank.

All proceeds will be donated to The Fishermen's Mission, called "The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen" on the page.

• READ MORE: Former boss of missing fisherman says he was planning to give up the trade

This organisation is "the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care" to fishermen and their families.

On the page, Mr Rowe stated: "I'm raising money in aid of Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen so they can distribute to help all those affected. 

The shoreline was searched by coastguard crews

"Our prayers are with those directly involved and the wider community who all have been affected in some way."

The GoFundMe page was set up with a target of raising £1,000, but after just 24 hours it has collected £11,687.

A total of 635 people have donated to the cause so far, with many leaving messages of support for those affected by the tragic incident.

• CLICK HERE: To visit the fundraising page

The Joanna C, a 45ft Brixham-based scalloping vessel, put out an emergency distress beacon on Saturday at about 6am.

Two RNLI lifeboats and a helicopter were scrambled as a search was launched for the boat's crew, with HM Coastguard, the coastguard plane and a second search helicopter soon joining the huge effort.

At the height of the operation, as many as 14 vessels combed the waters where the boat was last seen, with Eastbourne and Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue Teams carrying out a thorough shoreline search.

The coastguard helicopter was scrambled in the search for the missing fishermen off Newhaven Credit: Eddie Mitchell

One member of the boat, captain Dave Bickerstaff from Newhaven, was rescued by Newhaven RNLI on Saturday morning.

He was airlifted to hospital after being found conscious and clinging to a lifebuoy.

Debris from the boat was also found on Saturday morning.

Teams searched the water and coastline until 11pm on Saturday.

They restarted at first light yesterday, but the search was called off at 2.30pm. 

• READ MORE: Fishermen's families heartbroken as search is called off

Adam Harper and Robert Morley remain missing.

Chris Thomas, Deputy Director of HM Coastguard, said: “Sadly the two other crewmen have not yet been found and all our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Police also assisted with the search for the missing fishermen off the Sussex coast Credit: Eddie Mitchell

“It is testament to the local maritime community that HM Coastguard were so admirably supported throughout the day by nearby vessels and the local fishing communities who joined us in force and made strenuous efforts to locate their colleagues during the search.

“At one point, coastguard coordinators described tracking 14 vessels covering the search plan area including the two RNLI all weather lifeboats at sea.”