FISHERMEN have joined a major search for three missing men on a boat off Portland.

Portland Coastguard and the Weymouth RNLI began the search last night for the Weymouth fishing vessel, the Purbeck Isle.

The search resumed this morning at first light, assisted by Portland Bill NCI, two Royal Navy vessels and one American supply vessel.

Weymouth angling boat skipper Paul Whittall has also joined the search.

He said: “It is a close-knit society down by the harbour, and most of us come from commercial backgrounds.

“Whenever something like this happens, a wave of depression goes over the crew.”

Keep up to date with the latest developments on this story on the Dorset Echo website.