MARINE accident investigators began examining a fishing boat which went down with the loss of two crewmen - as a requiem mass was being held in their memory yesterday.

About 400 people packed into St Michael's RC Church in Houghton-le-Spring to remember Rob Temple, 34, and Brian Allison, 27.

The brothers from Fencehouses were in the boat Jan Denise II when it was lost in rough seas off the north coast last month. After a search and rescue operation, wreckage was located but their bodies were not found.

Father Bill O'Gorman, who conducted the service, said: "It was a wonderful expression of sympathy and support - and that in itself is a great grace for the family too.

"It is something to remember. Obviously Rob and Brian were well-liked and respected by all who knew them."

The Department of Transport's marine accident investigation branch recovered the wreckage on Sunday by placing a series of slings under the vessel, before lifting it and taking it to the Tyne Dock at South Shields, South Tyneside. The boat was taken out of the water yesterday and placed on the quayside, where investigators made a preliminary inspection.

Many of the fishing community believe an unexpected wave capsized the vessel.

Retired trawlerman Ray Morse, 59, of North Shields, said: "It is likely we will never find out what happened to them. Most likely a freak wave turned the ship over and she would have quickly sank.

"Boats do just vanish and nobody knows why."

The fishing boat set out from North Shields Fish Quay on November 17 with its two-man crew.

A Department of Transport spokesman said: "We will not be releasing any findings until the final report has been compiled."