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Missing skipper search called off Missing skipper search called off
(30 minutes later)
Rescue teams have called off their search for a fishing boat skipper who is missing off the Dorset coast.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 its way 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.
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. Wreckage from the Unity was found overnight and again on Thursday morning but there has been no sign of Mr Bowman.
Mark Rodaway, duty senior Coastguard officer for Southern England, said: "We have conducted a thorough search of the area around Portland Bill where the fishing vessel sank.
"Various items from the fishing vessel have floated free from the vessel and have been recovered.
John Bowman, from Anstruther, Scotland, was the owner of UnityJohn Bowman, from Anstruther, Scotland, was the owner of Unity
"The incident has now been formally handed over to Dorset Police for further investigation. Our thoughts are with John's family at this very difficult time."
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has been informed.
Mr Bowman's father, John Bowman Snr, said he was grateful to those involved in the search for his son.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."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.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."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.
FV Unity was built in 1998 and registered in RamsgateFV 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.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.
It is the second major search operation off Portland Bill in two days.It is the second major search operation off Portland Bill in two days.
On Tuesday, fisherman Peter Lynham, 20, from Weymouth, fell overboard while laying crab pots.On Tuesday, 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.