THE FAMILY of a fisherman who tragically died when his ship sank off the coast of Newhaven are raising funds for a new memorial to remember those lost at sea.

Robert Morley and Adam Harper lost their lives after their boat, the Joanna C, sank in November last year.

Captain Dave Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews, after he was found holding on to a lifebuoy almost four hours after the tragedy.

The incident sparked an outpouring of support from across the county, as hundreds gathered for a two-minute silence as part of tributes to the pair.

Now, months after Robert Morley was laid to rest, his family are fundraising for a memorial to placed in the harbour - to remember those who have lost their lives at sea.

Organised by his sister Katie Barrett, the memorial will feature an anchor set in concrete, with a pillar and a net full of fish, which will have the names of the dead fisherman engraved on them.

It will be made out of brass and galvanised steel and be placed near the RNLI lifeboat station, where rescue boats left to try and find the men.

The memorial will also remember Darren Brown, who lost his life while working on the Our Sarah Jane in 2016.

Speaking to The Argus, Robert Morley's stepfather, Barry Woolford said it has been "marvellous" to see the community supporting the families.

He said: "We're not going to get over the loss of Robert ever, I don't think.

"From the moment the boat went down, people have been brilliant but Newhaven hasn't got a memorial for any fisherman.

"This isn't just for Robert, it is Adam Harper and Darren Brown.

"The fishing community has a whole have been absolutely marvellous.

"People are putting money in the fund quite a bit.

"To raise £1,875 in less than 48 hours is good going but there is a long way to go."

As many as 100 people gathered at Fort Road, Newhaven, to pay their respect to Robert at his funeral in March.

A lone bagpiper played as his body was moved from Fort Road to the site of a temporary memorial 200 metres away.

The harbour fell still as the procession was led to the site, which had been set aside for the crew after the tragedy.

MP Maria Caulfield is among the hundreds supporting the campaign to raise funds for a permanent memorial.

The Lewes MP said this would ensure the town would "never forget" those who had lost their lives at sea.

She said: "People are being incredibly generous. It is so important to the fishing community and the community as a whole that we have a permanent memorial to those who have lost their lives simply doing their job.

"Months after the terrible accident with the Joanna C people continue to leave flowers and candles and there is always someone at the temporary memorial just stopping to remember Rob and Adam.

The Argus: Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Robert Morley Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Robert Morley

"A permanent memorial would mean we will never forget as a town."

At the time of writing, almost £18,00 has been raised on the Gofundme page through 56 donations.

You can donate to the campaign here: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/memorial-for-our-lost-fisherman