Search for missing fishermen off East Sussex coast continues

HM Coastguard coordinated a major search starting at 6am on Saturday after three crew members from the fishing vessel Joanna C were reported missing after their boat sank.

One person was recovered conscious from the sea on Saturday morning by the Newhaven RNLI lifeboat and was transferred to helicopter but two crew members are missing.

The crew members continued searching the area until 11pm on Saturday. It was suspended and continued at first light this morning.

A large number of rescue units were involved in the search on Saturday, including Eastbourne and Newhaven RNLI lifeboats, two Coastguard rescue helicopters, the Coastguard fixed wing aircraft and Birling Gap and Beachy Head Coastguard Rescue Teams. Also helping with this search were 12 other vessels including many fishing vessels in the area which responded to the Coastguard broadcasts and have been helping with the search at sea.

Chris Thomas, Deputy Director of HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard’s National Maritime Operations Centre has coordinated a major rescue effort today (Saturday, November 21), with many units searching tirelessly since first light and finding one casualty who has been recovered safely to hospital.

“Sadly two other crewmen have not yet been found and all our thoughts are with their families and friends. It is testament to the local maritime community that HM Coastguard were so admirably supported throughout the day by nearby vessels and the local fishing communities who joined us in force and made strenuous efforts to locate their colleagues during the search. At one point, Coastguard coordinators described tracking 14 vessels covering the search plan area including the two RNLI all weather lifeboats at sea.”