A MEMORIAL fund has been launched for the families of the three crew of the stricken Purbeck Isle fishing boat.

The News and the Dorset Echo is backing the Purbeck Isle memorial, which is being spearheaded by the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boat- men’s Association.

It aims to support the families of David McFarlane, 35, Jack Craig, 22, and Robert Prowse, 20.

Collections have begun and money is rolling into the fund as people shocked by the tragedy look for a way to offer their support to the families of the fishermen, who all hail from Weymouth and Portland.

There will be a collection bucket at the News office in East Street, Bridport, for all who wish to make a contribution.

Lyme lifeboat in search

A FOUR-MAN RNLI crew from Lyme Regis joined the search for the missing Weymouth fishing boat on Thursday night into Friday morning.

The lifeboat, with Martin Croad at the helm, scoured a wide area from West Bay to Portland in the search for The Purbeck Isle.

The lifeboat was launched at 11.24pm on Thursday and returned to station at 3.30am Friday having covered an area of some 30 miles without finding anything.

Mr Croad said: “Search conditions were difficult in total darkness and with a metre of swell.”

Other crew members were Tim Edwards, Ritchie Durrant and John Gage.