A SEARCH was continuing today for Portland fisherman Peter David Lynham who is feared drowned.

Peter, 20, was laying crab pots from his father Paul's boat when he was seen to go overboard in fierce seas off the Bill yesterday.

It is the second tragedy to hit the island in just over a fortnight coming after the disappearance of 14-year-old Kyle Moore who is thought to have drowned when a rowing boat he was in capsized in Portland Harbour.

Peter is from a well-known Portland family of fishermen and is the grandson of Ken Lynham, the chairman of the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee which fights for the rights of people in the trade.

The alarm was raised around 12.45pm when the fishing vessel Quarter Bell reported a man overboard from Mr Lynham's boat Isle of Portland.

A massive search was launched in sea conditions which were described as rough with near gale force winds.

The Portland Coastguard rescue helicopter and Weymouth Lifeboat were supported by local vessels plus Royal Navy warships HMS Quorn, Tyne and Portland, the RFA ship Victoria and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter.

It went on for several hours until the light faded and overnight the decision was taken to scale back the rescue effort. Coastguards completed a sweep of the area at first light today but rescuers admitted the chances of finding anyone alive were remote.

Mark Rodaway, duty senior coastguard officer for southern England said: "Although the search effort focused on a relatively small area the deteriorating temperatures and limited daylight added to the urgency of the situation."

The matter is now in the hands of Dorset Police and the tragedy will be investigated by the force's marine section and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Western Dorset operations manager for Dorset Police Chief Inspector Bob Nichols said: "Initial indications are that this is a tragic accident in an inherently dangerous working environment.

"Our thoughts are with Peter's family at this difficult time."

Chief Insp Nichols said Peter was on the boat with his father and brother fishing two miles south of Portland Bill when he went overboard.

He described Peter as an experienced fisherman who lived and worked with his father, having crewed the boat together for four years.