Russians to return to shipwreck site

RUSSIAN crew who were on board a ship that was hit by a freak wave off Islay and subsequently crashed into the Isle of Gigha are returning to Kintyre for a memorial service.

On December 18 1991, the Kartli, a 1,900 ton steel factory 240-foot ship lost power in a storm and smashed into Tarbert Bay on the north-west coast of Gigha, an incident that saw four Russians lose their lives.

While the event sparked a huge rescue effort involving an RAF Nimrod Plane, four RAF helicopters and a British tanker, Drupa, the ship’s captain Vladimir Gayduk, who lost a leg but survived the crash, paid special tribute at the time to the Gigha islanders and the crew of the Islay lifeboat that saved and looked after survivors.

David MacLellan, 46, current coxswain of the Islay lifeboat, was one of six crew members aboard the lifeboat that rushed to its aid.

He said: ‘I remember it well, it was one of my first major incidents and is still one of the biggest.

‘We were called out to look for life-rafts but it wasn’t easy, it was a force 11 wind and there was a huge swell with 40-foot waves. As we approached we saw the helicopters and a large freighter alongside trying to help.

‘The helicopter was lifting crew members off the powerless ship and our records show that, through the combined efforts, all 51 members of the crew were taken from the vessel, including one cat.’

Unfortunately three on board, including one woman, were killed outright from the force of the wave hitting the bridge, while one died later in hospital.

Igor Ratikin was a friend of the crew and captain having worked at the shipping office that dealt with the Kartli. He wrote a book about the sinking and, with the 25th anniversary approaching, contacted the Gigha Heritage Trust to see if a memorial could be arranged.

As a result, on December 18, the Isle of Gigha will host a memorial event to mark the tragedy, in the form of a church service and memorial at noon, attended by Igor, surviving crew and delegates from Russia.

There are remnants of the ship still visible at low tides and to mark the last resting place a

stone has been raised by the islanders overlooking the site.

Working with colleagues in Edinburgh and Newcastle, a specially commissioned plaque in Russian and English has been made in Moscow and brought to Gigha to be placed on the memorial stone.

Igor said that he wished to mark the lives lost and express the gratitude of the Russian people for the part the islanders and rescue services from Islay and Kintyre played in the dramatic events.

He highlighted the welcome of the islanders when they collected money for the sailors and took them into their care on Gigha.

Paul Currie, chairman of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, said: ‘This event not only marks a tragedy but also celebrates our common humanity, when islanders and the brave people from the rescue services reached out to Russian sailors in distress and created memories and friendships that have lasted over the years.

‘We hope that this memorial will tell the story for future generations.’

People with memories or anecdotes of the Kartli are invited to contact the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, with the aim of compiling a collection for the island records and to share with the Russian visitors in December.

Paul added that anyone with connections or an interest in the story are welcome to attend the memorial.