SEARCH
FOR FISHING VESSEL AND THREE CREW.
At 17.39, this evening Portland Coastguard received a
telephone call from a fisherman with concern for another fishing boat.
The fisherman raised the alarm after concern was raised
by their buyers who had not been able to contact the fishing vessel Purbeck
Isle DH104
Portland Coastguard commenced a search for the overdue
fishing vessel and it’s three crew.
The Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Portland was
requested, Portland Bill Coastguard rescue team were called out and the
Weymouth RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch. The NCI at Portland Bill are
also assisting. The FV Betty G II from Weymouth has also been assisting in the
search.
Portland Coastguard has made VHF radio broadcasts to
alert other vessels of the search and also to request any vessels that could
assist in the search.
That request was responded to by two Royal Navy vessels,
the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Ruler, and HMS York, a type 42 Destroyer, and
one American Navy supply vessel the 2nd Lt John P Bobo.
No communication has been made with the vessel, or any
trace found since the fishing vessel was observed by other fishermen departing
the port this morning.
Cindy Rodaway, Watch Manager, Portland Coastguard said:
The Coastguard helicopter commenced a search from the air
of known fishing grounds of this vessel as soon as we were alerted. We have
also searched all evening utilising the skills of the lifeboat crew and the
crews of the Navy warships and the electronic search aids at their disposal.