A TOWN united to pay their respects to fishermen lost at sea after their boat sank off the Sussex coast.

A major sea search was launched in the early hours of Saturday when the three-man crew of the Joanna C set off an emergency beacon off the coast of Newhaven.

Robert Morley, 38, remains missing, but the body of 26-year-old Adam Harper was recovered by divers from the wreck of the Brixham-registered fishing boat on Tuesday.

The Argus: People gather to pay their respects to fishermen lost after their boat sank off NewhavenPeople gather to pay their respects to fishermen lost after their boat sank off Newhaven

Captain Dave Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews and rushed to hospital after being found clinging to a lifebuoy on Saturday morning.

Yesterday, hundreds of people gathered in Newhaven for a two-minute silence to send their thoughts to the friends and families affected.

Newhaven Lifeboat crews, who were among the emrgency teams involved in the desperate search for the fishermen over the weekend, joined the tribute from their station (below).

The Argus:

A huge number of candles, bouqets of flowers and handwritten messages were laid on the ground in a memorial to the fishermen.

People who had known Rob and Adam also gave powerful speeches to the large crowd through a microphone.

A fundraiser has been set up by Tony Rowe to collect money to support the loved ones of those lost in the tragic incident.

Despite only being set up over the weekend, it has already raised more than £34,940 with 1,400 people donating to the appeal.

Mr Rowe said: "It has been four days since we learned of the tragic events unfolding in the English Channel off the coast of Newhaven when the alarm was raised by the EPIRB of the Joanna C BM265.

The Argus: Speeches were given by people paying their respects to the lost fishermenSpeeches were given by people paying their respects to the lost fishermen

"We started this GoFundMe campaign 24 hours later with the intention of just collecting something for the families involved, but now (I am) overwhelmed by the response the campaign has received, not just in Brixham and Newhaven but right across the UK and the rest of world - as far as New Zealand and the USA.

"We cannot begin to thank everyone enough for their kind donations and support.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those involved."