The family of a fisherman who died in the Joanna C tragedy said today’s weather is a “stark reminder” of the vessel’s sinking two years ago.

Barry Woolford, Robert Morley's stepfather, said family and friends are going to the memorial at the bottom of Fort Road, Newhaven, to lay a wreath this afternoon at around 5.30pm to mark the anniversary.

Ship’s mate Robert was flung from the scallop dredger into the cold water after it got caught on a line of whelk pots off Newhaven on November 21, 2020.

Deckhand Adam Harper was trapped inside the capsized boat’s bunk room as it went down, while captain David Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews.

Mr Woolford said: “We’re hoping to lay wreaths down at the memorial this afternoon. It will mainly be family and close friends, we think a few others will turn up too.

“People have been putting stuff down already.

“The weather is a stark reminder of what happened two years ago today. It was blowing a hooley like this, it wasn’t raining but it was very cold.

The Argus: Unveiling of the memorial in April. From left, Christian Funnell, Steve Bell, Jackie Woolford, Barry Woolford, Nick Gentry, Lewis Arnold, Maria Caulfield, Lesley Boniface and Trevor CutlerUnveiling of the memorial in April. From left, Christian Funnell, Steve Bell, Jackie Woolford, Barry Woolford, Nick Gentry, Lewis Arnold, Maria Caulfield, Lesley Boniface and Trevor Cutler

“It’s a horrendous feeling today, we don’t feel any better. We didn’t really get answers.

“They changed the date of death to the day the boat went down and his cause of death was unascertainable, it wasn’t drowning. The speculation is that he died of hypothermia.”

Robert, who was from Newhaven, "succumbed to the cold and drifted away” before his body was discovered washed up in Bexhill the following month.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch released a report in June which said it was not known how long Robert was in the water before he died.

The Argus: Robert Morley's body was found washed up in Bexhill a month laterRobert Morley's body was found washed up in Bexhill a month later

The report estimates it could have been anywhere up to three hours 45 minutes after the boat capsized.

"After one hour in the water, the mate was within the window for exhaustion, unconsciousness, and death from hypothermia," the report continued. 

In April, a memorial was unveiled to fishermen lost at sea near Newhaven.

The Argus: The Joanna C ship sank on November 21, 2020. Picture from the ship's owner The Joanna C ship sank on November 21, 2020. Picture from the ship's owner

In September, an inquest ruled Adam and Robert’s deaths were accidental.

Hundreds gathered days after the sinking to pay their respects to Adam and Robert.

Robert’s funeral was held in Newhaven Quay in March 2021.