Search for missing fishermen called off after bodies found

A SEARCH for two fishermen missing after their vessel sank in the southern North Sea at the weekend was called off last night after bodies were found. Three other crew members from the same trawler were saved after being picked earlier up by a a passing cruise liner, the Pacific Princess which had  spotted a distress flare..
The vessel has yet to be formally identified, but it is thought to be from Belgium because a lifeboat involved in the search with the name “Zeebrugge” on it.
The vessel sank about 25 miles north east of Great Yarmouth and a search was launched on Saturday night after the cruise liner rescued the three survivors. The operation involved coastguard helicopters, crews from Goreleston and Caister in Norkfolk , along with a number of fishing boats in the area at the time.
Then the coastguard helicopter spotted two bodes near the wreckage of the vessel which were picked up and flown to Humberside Airport, near Grimsby. Humberside Police said they are trying to contact the families of the men. A coastguard spokesman said: “All units have now been stood down and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the crewmen.”
The cause of the sinking is still unknown, but the vessel is thought to have gone down quickly as no distress call was picked up.”
Alexander Rosen, an American passenger on the Pacific Princess told ITV News Anglia that every was overjoyed when the three survivors were picked up, but that soon turned to sadness after the passengers were told that two others were still missing.