Ten years on since Purbeck Isle tragedy - remembrance to fisherman to be held at memorial

Robert Prowse, aged 20, was one of three fishermen who was lost after Weymouth fishing boat, the Purbeck Isle, went out on May 17, 2012, and never returned.

On the tenth anniversary of the tragedy, Robert's family, including his mum, dad and daughters, will be visiting Robert's memorial bench on Weymouth harbourside for a moment of remembrance and reflection, at 11am on Tuesday, May 17 - not just for Robert, but for all three men who sadly lost their lives.

• READ MORE: Weymouth and Portland community mourns loss of three fishermen

In May 2012, following a search involving Weymouth Lifeboat and the Portland Coastguard helicopter, the body of skipper David McFarlane, 35, was recovered and the wreck of the vessel was discovered nine miles off Portland Bill, 50 metres below the surface.

The body of crewman Jack Craig, 21, was recovered off the coast of Devon on August 9, 2012. However, crewman Robert was never found.

Robert Prowse from Weymouth, fisherman lost at sea

Robert's mother, Maxine Prowse, said: "He's the only one that never came back and I would like to do some sort of gathering by his bench to mark the anniversary of the boat going missing.

"To me ten years is a big thing. It would be nice if people came along to his bench during the day, and not only remembered Robert, but remembered all three of them."

The families of David and Jack may be marking the anniversary in their own ways.

But Maxine said anyone was welcome along on the day to the bench to reflect and remember.

Maxine asked for anyone who would like to visit Robert's bench - on the raised cargo landing stage on Custom House Quay opposite the lifeboat station - to remember the three fishermen to come at any time of day if they can't join the family at 11am.

She said: "It's just important to me for people to stop by during that day - it would just be nice to know he's not alone."

Children Sinead, left, and Lily Prowse with Maxine and Pete Prowse with, back right, Steve Shayler, PE officer from The Verne, and Leon, pictured at the memorial bench in 2013

Ten years ago, the community was left shaken by the loss of the three local fisherman and rallied to support their families.

In the wake of the tragedy the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund was set up, spearheaded by the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fisherman’s and Boatman’s Association. Generous donations to the fund from Echo readers, community groups, residents, churches and businesses raised more than £44,000 for the families.

Plaque on Robert Prowse's memorial bench

The memorial bench for Robert, who was born and bred in Weymouth, was made and donated by prisoners at HMP The Verne, who undertook a 24-hour triathlon to raise the money for it in 2013. The bench was placed to overlook the harbour where Robert spent much of his time as an avid fisher who loved being out at sea.