DEPTHS OF DESPAIR
Relatives are warned it may be months before sunk boat is recovered from 100m down in loch
The distraught families of two men feared dead after their fishing boat sank have been warned it could take months to raise the vessel.
Exper ts say a salvage operation is complicated as the Nancy Glen sank so deep.
They estimate the 40ft boat plunged 100m into Loch Fyne, in Argyll and Bute, and the recovery will require assistance from the Royal Navy. It’s feared missing dad-of-two Duncan
MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk, of Tarbert, were trapped as it sank.
Mariner John Miller was able to escape and was discharged from hospital on Friday.
Elaine Whyte, secretary of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association, said a delay would be a “terrible outcome” for relatives of the missing men.
She said her organisation would ask the Government-run Marine Accident Investigation Branch to launch a recovery bid this week.
Elaine said: “The MAIB will decide when to raise the boat. We hope that can happen within the next few days but it could take a few months.
“That would be a terrible outcome for the families but it’s a complicated procedure. The boat is about 100m down and MAIB investigators would also require assistance from the Royal Navy.
“We believe the men are still on the boat but searchers haven’t given up hope that they’ll be found.”
Police Scotland said the search for Duncan, 46, and Polish crewman Przemek is now a recovery operation.
It is understood the boat sank within seconds of taking in water on Thursday night despite the efforts of a passing ferry to rescue it.
A crane was on site and poised to secure the boat before it suddenly went down.
John, also of Tarbert, was plucked to safety by a passing fishing boat before being taken to hospital in Lochgilphead.
The tragedy happened close to Barmore Island.
Julie-Anne Wood, head of maritime operations for HM Coastguard, uard, yesterday said: “Following an intensive search utilising the HM Coastguard helicopter, RNLI l i feboat s f rom Tighnabruaich, Campbeltown and Arran, Coastguard rescue teams, other agencies and local vessels, sadly we have been unable to locate the missing fishermen.”
Pol ice Inspector Jul ie McLeish added: “We’re in regular contact with the missing men’s families. It’s a very distressing time for them and the local community.”
Emergency services were e joined by locals in Tarbert in n a search of the loch.
John is believed to have got t engaged on Christmas Day. The e 34-year-old, who has a daughter, r, Scarlett, with his ex-partner, is still recovering from the ordeal. al.
His family declined to comment nt yesterday but one local woman an said: “John’s a really nice guy. uy. You see him with his wee girl at weekends and he just got engaged. ed.
“Everybody’s devastated about out Duncan and Przemek. They were ere very popular.
“Duncan comes from generations ons of fishermen in Tarbert. It’s a close-knit village and we are all pulling together, like we always do.” Duncan, married to Dawn, 34, has two sons, aged eight and five, and played for Tarbert AFC. Their game was cancelled yesterday as a mark of respect. A Rabbie Burns event planned fofor this weekend by the Clyde Fishermen’s Association has also been scrapped. Staff at the Islay Frigate Hotel in Tarbert, where Duncan was a regular, said the entire village hash been left “heartbroken”. Sarah Atkinson, 27, daughter of owners John and Marion, added: “Everybody loved Duncan. He was everybody’s friend.
“Przemek lived with his wife Gosia and was a big, strong, lovely guy.
“Everyone in Tarbert knew them so everybody is hurting.”
Councillor Anne Horne, who lives in the village, also paid tribute.
She said: “They were fine men and very much part of this community.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families.”
A service is due to take place in the Free Church in the village at 11am today for people to pay their respects.
An MAIB spokeswoman said: “I can confirm we are investigating.”
Everyone in the village knew them so everybody is hurting