Support for those who helped with the search, as £20k raised for missing fishermen
As a fundraising campaign for the families of two missing Devon fishermen passes £20,000, those who helped with the search in East Sussex are being given special support.
The marine accident investigation branch has confirmed it is looking into why the Joanna C sunk off the coast of East Sussex on Saturday.
Around 14 vessels, the RNLI and Coastguard, spent the weekend searching for the men who were onboard – with one found in the water but the other two still missing.
Ali Godfrey, from the Fishermen’s Mission charity, said: “We have port staff around the whole of the UK so our port staff in Brixham are working very closely with anyone who’s been affected by this tragedy.
“We’re able to offer a whole range of support and we’re also working closely with those fishermen in Sussex who are looking to us for some support as they joined the wonderful RNLI and Coastguard and they went out and searched and searched and searched in some terrible weather.
“Fishing is by far the most dangerous UK occupation, by a long way, and has been for many years and decades.
“I don’t think people really do appreciate that he or she is placing themselves at substantial risk from the work they do.
“Their workplace is the sea and it’s unpredictable and you just never know what’s going to happen.”
A spokesperson for the marine accident investigation branch said: ““The MAIB has commenced a full safety investigation into the loss of the scallop dredger, Joanna C, in the morning of 21 November 2020.
“The MAIB will co-operate with other stakeholders in the investigation, and a report of the investigation will be published in due course.”
A link to the online fundraising page can be found here
For more about the sinking and community response to itclick here