Nancy Glen: Now police begin probe
POLICE have launched a criminal investigation into a trawler tragedy in which two fishermen died. Skipper Duncan MacDougall, 46, and crew member Przemek Krawczyk, 38, lost their lives when the Nancy Glen sank on Loch Fyne, Argyll, in January.
The sole survivor of the tragedy, John Miller, raised the alarm and was rescued by a passing boat as the prawn trawler disappeared into the darkened water.
It took 83 days to recover the bodies and for specialist investigators to gain access to the wreck.
The trawler was brought to the surface by a lifting barge after the Scottish Government stepped in to pay for the operation. And yesterday the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed that police had been instructed to investigate the men’s deaths.
A Crown Office spokesman said: ‘The procurator fiscal has instructed Police Scotland to investigate the circumstances around the deaths of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk in Loch Fyne on January 18, 2018.
‘The families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.
‘As this is a live investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further.’ Police Scotland confirmed it was aware of the Crown Office’s instructions but did not provide any further information as to why the investigation was to be carried out.
Mr MacDougall and Mr Krawczyk both lived in the small fishing port of Tarbert, in line of sight on a clear day from where the boat sank.
The close-knit fishing community was left in a state of shock following the sudden and tragic loss of the men.
When the distress signal first went out it was a calm January night. The mayday call brought dozens of fellow fishermen to the area who joined the rescue effort.
As the capsized boat began to sink the crew of a passenger ferry tried to secure a line to it but with no success.
A major search was launched but no trace of the two missing men was found.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch initially conducted a seabed survey of the wreck of the 40ft trawler but said that they had no plans to raise it.
The Scottish Government then stepped in with financial assistance to work with salvage specialists to support efforts to retrieve the men’s bodies.
Last month, a lifting barge raised the wreck of the vessel from a depth of 450ft of water and two bodies were recovered.
‘Families will be updated’