Fisherman remembers lives lost at sea with new day

Peter has been a member of the Cullercoats RNLI crew for almost 30 years and involved in countless rescues

A fisherman and RNLI crewman will be among those marking a new day of remembrance for workers killed at sea.

Peter Clark, from Cullercoats RNLI in North Tyneside, is taking part in the first National Fishing Remembrance Day on Sunday to honour his missing colleagues.

He said he has searched for and lost friends in the water and witnessed people's anguish when family members do not return home from work.

"A national day of remembrance can highlight the sacrifice these families ultimately made," Mr Clark said.

The fisherman joined the RNLI almost 30 years ago and is helm on Cullercoats lifeboat.

One of his earliest memories is of his dad coming home to tell him that his best friend had died at sea.

Peter working as master of his fishing boat, the Lily James

As part of the remembrance day, a gathering will take place at the fisherman statue at North Shields' Fiddler's Green on Sunday.

"For a lot of families who have lost somebody, particularly where they have never been recovered from the sea, there isn't always closure like families ashore would get," Mr Clark said.

"Spots like the memorial at Fiddler's Green bring families and friends of lost people together," he added.

Over the years, Mr Clark has seen a "big improvement" in water safety through the use of equipment such as personal flotation devices and personal locator beacons.

"Being a helm and a fisherman, I think I have a greater understanding and respect for what the sea can do, how quickly weather can change and how fast things can get out of hand when something goes wrong," Mr Clark said.

"Equally, being a helm and being involved in bringing people back who have not made it gives you a feeling of greater responsibility to ensure we make everything as safe as possible for myself and my crew at sea," he added.