Two bodies were recovered by a rescue helicopter on Thursday after an air and sea search was launched following the loss of the Cap Burgaled Breiz, around 14 miles south-west of Lizard Point.

The search, in rough seas and severe winds, which at one stage involved 13 vessels and two helicopters covering 127 square miles, was called off after darkness on Thursday night.

At that stage Falmouth Coastguard spokesman Simon Rabett said hopes of survival without the shelter of a life raft were "slim".

A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose picked up two bodies from the water

A Royal Navy rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, near Helston in Cornwall, is scouring seas south west of Lizard Point.

Two empty liferafts were spotted during Thursday's intensive air and sea search of the area.

A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said on Friday that ships in the search area would be asked to keep a look-out for the crewmen.

"I would be surprised if they are found alive.

"The sea is still very cold.

"We know we have both the vessel's liferafts so we are really looking for three people in the water," he said.