Family tribute to lost fisherman

Peter Lynham was working on the family boat Portland Isle

The family of a fisherman who went missing from a fishing boat off the Dorset coast have paid tribute to him.

Peter Lynham, 20, disappeared from the family boat Portland Isle on Tuesday lunchtime while out working with his father and brother.

A Mayday call was received by Portland coastguard and rescue teams searched the area, south of Portland Bill.

Paul Lynham described his son as an absolute gentleman who loved being part of the family business.

He didn't even have a chance to get a breath Paul Lynham

The 44-year-old said: "We were laying crab pots, we do it all the time. Yesterday's weather was particularly bad, it got worse after the incident.

"I think he stepped on a rope and it tripped him up. He slipped over backwards, did a full somersault and never managed to get a breath.

"He didn't even have a chance to get a breath, it just knocked him off balance he just came up once, we swung round to pick him up and he was gone."

His other son Robert, 17, was also out on the 40ft (12m) boat at the time.

Proud of job

Mr Lynham said all three had not been wearing lifejackets due to practicality and the physical nature of the work.

His missing son had been wearing a wetsuit, and was described as an experienced fisherman, who worked with his father for four years.

Mr Lynham's partner, Kim, said Peter was going to be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

She added: "It's the only job he had ever done and he was very proud of being in the family business, working with his dad and doing the job that he loved.

"They go out hundreds of days and why yesterday had to be any different from the others I will never know."