HUNDREDS of people sent messages of support to the families of the missing crew of Purbeck Isle whilet waiting eagerly for news.

Friends of David McFarlane, Jack Craig and Robert Prowse along with local fishermen, residents and councillors gave their wishes of hope as the search continued.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Mayor Graham Winter said: “It is such a tragic thing to happen.

“Fishing is a dangerous occupation but this is very tragic and I feel for the families of the men.

“The guys who work on these boats are brave people and it would be a shame to lose some of them.”

Many stopped at the harbour as the Weymouth Lifeboat Ernest and Mabel came in to refuel yesterday afternoon.

One onlooker, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw the fishermen in the harbour just yesterday. You can see the gap where the boat is usually berthed. It’s such a terrible thing, let’s just hope they find them safe and well.”

Incoming Weymouth and Portland Mayor Margaret Leicester said: “This is very sad news and my thoughts go to the families.

“It is a very tragic but accidents do happen at sea and it is possible that some gear could have got caught on the bottom.

“I hope the people out searching are able to find out as much as possible about what happened, which will give the families some closure. Unfortunately when people are lost at sea it can be difficult to ever find out what happened.”

Andy Alcock, secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association said: “When the first fisherman started trying to call the crew, all he kept getting was the message saying their mobiles were unreachable, which is not a good sign.

“When the call was put out by Portland Coastguard on Thursday afternoon to look for Purbeck Isle, every single vessel sailing in the area, including navy vessels, started searching – but all of them came back without anything.

“We’re a very close fishing community and we’re all just hoping and praying.”

Wellwishers said that the search for the men highlighted the importance of the Portland Coastguard helicopter, which is due to be scrapped in 2017.

Amanda Weston, landlady of The Duke of Albany in Park Street, said: “A lot of our regulars knew the skipper of the boat.

“He has come into the pub a few times. It is just awful that we have got so much money being spent on the Olympics when the rescue helicopter is being taken away from Portland.

“Lives are lost at sea and today has shown how important rescue equipment is.

“The whole of Weymouth should unite and stand up for our helicopters. It is so important. We are all sending our best wishes and thoughts to the families and friends of the fisherman.”

Campaigners who were hoping for a U-turn on the decision to axe the helicopter service were dealt a devastating blow in February when Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the coastguard’s contract will not be renewed.

David Pitman, chairman of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association, added: “Without the search and rescue helicopter, the nearest will be Brixham in Devon and Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire.

“I know the Portland helicopter doesn’t have the facilities of Lee-on-Solent, which is able to search at night, but it’s absolutely vital.”

On Twitter, Clive Goodman, Police Federation chair of Dorset, said: “Today’s search off Weymouth for three missing fishermen shows just how important our Coastguard service is – we will always need them!”

WE CAN'T TELL WHAT HAPPENED

David Pitman, chairman of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association said: “There are so many possible outcomes and questions.

“Did they have their life jackets on? Did they get into the lifeboat? If they did, where are they now?

“We just can’t tell what’s happened. It’s been such a long night for everyone involved.”

Mr Pitman, a former coxswain for RNLI Weymouth, said the service would be working extremely hard to find the men.

He said: “I understand exactly what they’re going through right now – they’re in for another long night.

“I just can’t imagine what it’s like for the families. They must be going through absolute hell at the moment.

“Everyone knows someone who knows them – the whole community is in limbo at the moment. This has affected a lot of people.”

Andy Alcock, secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Boatmen and Fishermen Association said: “Being fishermen, we understand that every day we go to sea is a risk. It can be a dangerous job. We’re always hoping that they will come out of this the other side in good health.”