A DEVASTATED family today paid tribute to a 'wonderful lad' who is feared drowned in what appears to have been a tragic accident.

Fisherman Peter Lynham, 20, of Sweet Hill Road, Southwell, Portland, lived for his job and karate, his family said.

He was working with father Paul and younger brother Robert, 17, on the family boat when he went overboard.

Mr Lynham, 44, said: "We were two-and-a-half miles off Portland at the back of The Race.

"We had just laid some crab pots and Peter was near the stern when he lost his footing on a rope and went into the water.

"He stepped on the rope and it flicked him enough to knock him off his balance - he's not a heavy lad.

"I immediately swung the boat round to pick him up.

"I could see him bobbing in the water but as we got up to him he went under. It was over in 30 seconds."

Mr Lynham kept his boat, Portland Isle, in the area where Peter had gone overboard to aid rescuers.

He said conditions had not been that bad but the weather deteriorated as the search was launched.

Peter was wearing his fisherman's 'skins' but had not been wearing a lifejacket because it was not practical to do so.

Mr Lynham said: "The coastguard helicopter was over us in 12 minutes and the lifeboat was there in 25 minutes. They were exceptional and I mean to thank them myself in person.

"The Navy sent their ships too and a helicopter. They were all wonderful. But there was nothing they could do, he had already gone.

"I understand it will be investigated but that's all it was. It was a tragic accident."

Peter, who also has a sister, Kirsty, 18, attended Southwell Primary School and the Royal Manor School before joining his father on the boat.

He is from a well-known family of Portland fishermen and his father said it was always his son's wish to continue the tradition.

Mr Lynham, who is separated from Peter's mum Donna and lives with partner Kim Scard, 39, said: "Peter loved what he did. He knew we were out all weathers for 12 hours a day but that's what he wanted.

"I've got pictures of him as a baby on boats, he loved going out.

"It was unusual though because he didn't drink or smoke. It's a trait of fishermen but it wasn't for him. He was clean cut and mild mannered.

"His passion was karate. Even after a hard day's work he'd go training."

Peter had been a member of the Wessex Karate Academy for about eight years and was a brown belt in the traditional Japanese Goju Ryu karate.

Earlier this year he won a gold medal after representing his country at the Goodwill Martial Arts Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.

Mr Lynham added: "Words cannot describe how I feel. Peter was a wonderful lad."