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Skipper search finds boat debris Missing skipper search called off
(about 3 hours later)
Rescue teams searching for a fishing boat skipper, missing off the Dorset coast, have found debris from the boat. Rescue teams have called off their search for a fishing boat skipper who is missing off the Dorset coast.
The fishing boat Unity capsized after taking on water as it rounded Portland Bill on route to Weymouth from Brixham, Devon, on Wednesday evening. The fishing boat Unity capsized after taking on water as it rounded Portland Bill on its way to Weymouth from Brixham, Devon, on Wednesday evening.
The Weymouth lifeboat recovered two men, Fergus Middleton, 19, and Graeme Hughes, 20, from the Fife-based crew but their skipper has not been found.The Weymouth lifeboat recovered two men, Fergus Middleton, 19, and Graeme Hughes, 20, from the Fife-based crew but their skipper has not been found.
John Bowman, 45, was last seen in the wheelhouse as the boat capsized.John Bowman, 45, was last seen in the wheelhouse as the boat capsized.
The coastguard said wreckage from the Unity found overnight signalled a "refined area" for Thursday's search. A coastguard spokesman said wreckage from the Unity found overnight signalled a "refined area" and a search on Thursday morning yielded further debris from the vessel.
A coastguard spokesman said the morning search had yielded further debris from the vessel. John Bowman, from Anstruther, Scotland, was the owner of Unity
Second major search Mr Bowman's father, John Bowman Snr, said he was grateful to those involved in the search for his son.
He said: "The family are devastated, we are just thankful that the crew were found safe and well."
In a speech to the House of Commons on Thursday, Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw MP paid tribute to the UK fishing fleet.
He said: "I'm sorry to report that 15 fishermen lost their lives in the last year, including one only two days ago and there is a search and rescue mission active as we speak off the coast of Weymouth."
The search began after a red flare was sighted about two miles south of Portland.The search began after a red flare was sighted about two miles south of Portland.
Coastguard helicopters and HMS Portland worked alongside RNLI crews.Coastguard helicopters and HMS Portland worked alongside RNLI crews.
Andy Sargent, RNLI Coxswain, told BBC News: "[The two men were] shocked, the boat had gone down east side of the Bill and they'd been in the water until the lifeboat bobbed up. FV Unity was built in 1998 and registered in Ramsgate
Andy Sargent, RNLI Coxswain, told BBC News: "(The two men were) shocked, the boat had gone down east side of the Bill and they'd been in the water until the lifeboat bobbed up.
"They just seemed to have broached and capsized and then the vessel sunk.""They just seemed to have broached and capsized and then the vessel sunk."
The two rescued crewmen were taken to Dorchester Hospital suffering from shock. They have since been discharged.The two rescued crewmen were taken to Dorchester Hospital suffering from shock. They have since been discharged.
The fishing boat Unity took on water and capsized It is the second major search operation off Portland Bill in two days.
Mark Rodaway, duty senior coastguard officer for Southern England, said: "We continue to search for the missing skipper but with the weather conditions and the water temperatures overnight, a successful outcome is looking unlikely. On Tuesday, fisherman Peter Lynham, 20, from Weymouth, fell overboard while laying crab pots.
"Although a number of items associated with the vessel have been located within the search area nothing has been seen of the skipper."
It is the second major search operation off Portland Bill in two days - fisherman Peter Lynham, 20, from Weymouth, fell overboard while laying crab pots.
Mr Lynham has not been seen since and the search for him has now been called off.Mr Lynham has not been seen since and the search for him has now been called off.