THE family of the late Purbeck Isle skipper have been left devastated after his memorial bench was smashed.

The bench was damaged on Wednesday afternoon, Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team said.

Skipper David McFarlane’s family say they are devastated after they discovered the memorial bench had been broken.

A large chunk of stone has been broken off the back of the bench.

When the family heard about the incident they said they hoped it had just been a little bit of graffiti.

David’s mum Grace said: “We are absolutely devastated by this.”

She added: “The bench meant so much to us.”

Police investigating the incident believed a group of youngsters were jumping on the bench with BMX bikes causing it to smash.

Colin, David’s father, said he had been to see the bench yesterday morning.

He said there were a couple of marks on the top and when he saw it he felt very sad.

He added: “I felt quite upset and quite moved.

“I am relieved that it appears to have been accidental.”

David’s family placed the bench at Chesil Cove to remember the tragic fisherman.

The location was chosen because it held many happy memories for the family.

Crafted in the shape of a surf board, the bench was made from roach stone. It sits overlooking the Purbeck Isle’s fishing grounds and the sea where the skipper loved to surf.

Colin told the Echo how his son and his family often sat in front of the Cove House Inn and watched the sun go down.

Around 70 people gathered at the memorial last month to raise a glass in remembrance of the tragic skipper, a year on from his death.

David and crewmates Jack Craig and Robert Prowse were lost on May 17, 2012.

The body of David, aged 35, was recovered the following day following a huge search.

Jack Craig, aged 21, was found off the coast of Devon on August 9.

Robert Prowse, aged 20, remains missing.

Portland resident Andonino Cucinella said he spotted the broken bench after a kayaking trip off Chesil Cove on Wednesday.

He said: “I went out kayaking from Chesil Cove at around 3.30pm and the bench was in one piece but when I got back two hours later it had been smashed up.

“I think it is really very sad and I don’t understand why people would do this to the family who have been through so much.

“The bench is completely destroyed, it is such a shock.”

Additional reporting by Catherine Bolado.

 

Police appeal for witnesses

PORTLAND Safer Neighbourhood Team is appealing for witnesses following the damage to the bench.

A spokesman said: “It appears to be accidental rather than deliberate.

There’s no indication it is malicious.

“Early indications are we believe it’s accidental damage possibly caused by youths on BMXs jumping on to it.

“We can be contacted on 101- and ask for Portland SNT.”