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Official report into Joanna C tragedy released 

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Robert Morley

AN OFFICIAL report has revealed the heartbreaking final moments of a Pembrokeshire fisherman who died as his ship sank.

Ship’s mate Robert Morley, was thrown into the sea in the early hours of November 21, 2020, when the Joanna C capsized off the coast of Newhaven. 

Mr Morley, 38, lived in Llangolman and Clarbeston Road with his fiancée and two children but worked away on fishing boats for extended periods of time.

Robert’s fiancée, Natasha Croydon, said that Robert had intended on leaving at Christmas  and “he was just doing it one last time to have a fantastic Christmas and we never got that.”

Captain David Bickerstaff, 34, was pulled from the sea hours later, the sole survivor of the tragedy, which also sadly claimed the life of 26-year-old deckhand, Adam Harper.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) discovered that there was a life raft on the ship, but it did not inflate, which “adversely affected the survivability of the crew”.

The MAIB investigation, which was released earlier this summer, reveals how the scallop dredger ran into trouble after being entangled in a line of whelk pots.

Joanna C

After Robert was thrown into the cold sea, David and Adam became trapped in the bunk room for approximately 40 minutes.

Shortly before 6am, David started to notice the ship sinking and opened an escape hatch, telling Adam they needed to get out.

David luckily managed to escape the sinking ship but Adam remained trapped inside as it went down.

The report stated: “When the vessel started to sink, the skipper was able to escape, which was fortunate given the darkness and likely obstructions in his path.

“However, the deckhand remained trapped.

“Once the vessel had begun to sink water ingress to the crew accommodation was likely rapid, denying the deckhand any opportunity to escape.”

David found Mr Morley in the water and the pair were able to see “the lights off other fishing vessels nearby”. 

Sadly, before he could be rescued, Robert “succumbed to the cold and drifted away, leaving the skipper holding on to the lifebuoy”.

The report said: “The mate was tangled in an orange rope attached to the lifebuoy and was very cold.

“While attempting to untangle the mate, his lifejacket was removed and was lost.

“The consequent loss of dexterity and useful movement in his arms and legs meant that he could not maintain his hold on the lifebuoy, which was his only means of support following the loss of his personal flotation device.

“Without support, the mate’s ability to maintain his head and airway above the water was lost and he likely slipped below the surface and drowned.”

Robert and his son Taylor. (Credit – Adrian White)

It is unknown how long Robert was in the water before he died. 

The report estimates it could have been anywhere up to 3 hours 45 minutes after the boat capsized.

“After one hour in the water, the mate was within the window for exhaustion, unconsciousness, and death from hypothermia,” the report continued. 

“Without the support afforded by a personal floatation device or the shelter of a life raft, his chances of survival were significantly reduced.”

When the Joanna C got into trouble, the boat’s emergency radio went off, alerting the coastguard.

A large search was undertaken, and David was eventually rescued from the ocean around 8.50 a.m.

Divers discovered Adam’s 26-year-old body five days later.

The following month, Robert’s body was discovered washed up near Bexhill.

Writing on Facebook, his stepfather, Barry Woolford, from Brixham, said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham, it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.

“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks.”

 

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

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A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

 

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Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

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Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

 

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Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

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SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.

 

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