Beachy Head, near where Stephen Trice fell overboard

The funeral of a Medway man who went overboard from a tug in stormy conditions takes place today.

Stephen Trice, 56, was on board a vessel called Endurance, which was towing a 60ft motor cruiser, when he fell into the sea

The tragedy occurred off the Eastbourne coast on February 5 but Mr Trice’s body was not recovered until March 21, underneath cliffs at Beachy Head.

The vessel the tug was towing was lost in the rough conditions and Mr Trice was trying to reconnect it when he fell.

His colleague, who is also from Medway and aged 37, sent out a Mayday call.

Mr Trice, of Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, was doing up a houseboat at the time of his death. He was a keen fisherman and motorbike enthusiast.

His parents, Fred and Kathleen, live in the Rochester area and he has an older brother Fred.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious. and the coroner’s officer is continuing with inquiries.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch launched an inquiry into the circumstances of the incident.

The funeral is taking place at Medway Crematorium.

Donations can be made to the RNLI and the Kent Air Ambulance by cheques posted to T. Allen Funeral Service, 126b Maidstone Road, Rochester.