FLARES were fired from a flotilla of boats in memory of the crew of the Purbeck Isle.

David McFarlane’s family, including daughters Bethany and Caitlin Huntley and parents Colin and Grace McFarlane, joined fishermen and friends on board boats in Weymouth harbour More than a dozen boats, headed by the Weymouth inshore and all-weather lifeboats, left Weymouth harbour from the pontoon next to the King’s Arms at 2pm yesterday afternoon.

The boats sounded their horns, people whistled and shouted ‘Farley’ as the procession sailed down the harbour and out of the entrance.

Onlookers clapped as the boats went past.

They formed a circle out in Weymouth Bay and let off flares and Chinese lanterns in tribute to the Purbeck Isle skipper and crewmen Robert Prowse and Jack Craig.

Family and friends then returned to the harbour.

The lifeboat had helped in the search for the Purbeck Isle.

Coxswain Andy Sargent said the crew had been on several jobs yesterday but were really pleased to have made it back to harbour in time to join the procession of boats.

He said: “It was nice that we could get back in time to lead them out.”

He added: “Our condolences go to the families.”

Andy Alcock, secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association, the organisation which has been spearheading the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund, went out on his boat Waikiki.

He said that the boat procession was ‘an excellent send off.’ He said: “It was a fitting tribute. It was superb.”

He added: “It was a privilege to be on it. It was a great tribute to David, Robert and Jack.”