FAMILIES have paid tribute to the three fishermen who lost their lives at sea on the ten-year anniversary of a tragic boat accident which rocked the community.
Weymouth fishing boat, the Purbeck Isle, went out for a day's fishing on May 17, 2012, but never returned.
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 Prowse, 20, was never found.
On the tenth anniversary of the tragedy yesterday, Robert's friends and family, including his mum, dad, brother, cousins, grandparents and his daughters, Sinead Avis-Prowse, 11, and Lilly Avis-Prowse, 10, visited Robert's memorial bench on Weymouth harbourside for a moment of remembrance and reflection. They gathered to remember Robert and also David and Jack.
On the day, the sun shone as people gathered to remember the fishermen. Robert's mother, Maxine, said it was a beautiful tribute and Robert's father, Peter Prowse, thanked everyone who came to the bench to remember his son who he described as someone who was very helpful and loved to spend his days by the quay.
The families of David and Jack may have marked the anniversary in their own ways.
On the anniversary, David's daughter Bethany Huntley, on behalf of her family, said: "I cannot believe it has been 10 years since the Purbeck Isle tragedy. Sometimes it still feels like it was only yesterday.
"I would like to thank the community for all the love and support we received during such a difficult time. I would also like to thank the RNLI and The Fisherman’s Mission for such amazing support not only to my family but to Robert, Jack's and all the other families out there who have been through similar tragedies.
"My Dad, David Mcfarlane, is well and truly missed not only by his daughters but the whole family and many friends.
"Such a big character who left a hole in our hearts. We will always keep his memory alive and he will forever be in all our hearts."
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.
Meanwhile, a memorial bench in David's memory was placed at Chesil Cove on Portland in 2012, overlooking the Purbeck Isle’s fishing grounds and the area that David loved to surf in.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article