MSP Russell backs family’s call for FAI into fisherman’s death
THE FAMILY of a fisherman missing for almost three years want the ‘ peace’ of knowing what happened to him, and are backing calls by Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell for an urgent inquiry into his death.
But before a Fatal Accident Inquiry ( FAI) can be held, the family say the fibreglass vessel from which Scott MacAlister made his final mayday call needs to be lifted from the seabed, where it lies near to Insh Island.
Father of three, Scott MacAlister, 40, who lived on the Isle of Luing, was prawn fishing on his own aboard the FV Speedwell on April 25, 2013 when he disappeared, presumed drowned, after reporting to the coastguard that his boat was taking on water.
Mr MacAlister’s brother Andrew was also fishing in the area. He was the first boat on the scene after hearing the mayday call.
He arrived approximately 20 minutes after his brother’s call – but there was no sign of him or his boat even though Mr MacAlister had told the coastguard he was putting on a lifejacket.
Taking into account the flotsam that was around the area of the mayday call, Andrew said that almost immediately he and his skipper marked a map with the place they believed the boat had gone down.
Some weeks later, in almost the same location, a friend dived 40 fathoms and found the boat.
But his seven-minute look at the boat was unable to shed any light on the whereabouts of Mr MacAlister.
Andrew, along with his father Peter, mother Lala and Scott’s partner Tori MacNab, believe there are still many questions – a full two years after a Marine Investigation Branch (MAIB) accident report was published.
Findings within that report pointed to concerns at the state of the vessel, but no one has been charged with any criminal offence.
Mr MacAlister’s partner and family claim a number of issues with the boat, which were raised with the owner, were never resolved.
The report agrees with the family that weather conditions experienced on the day of the accident were not severe and that Mr MacAlister was adequately trained.
The report does point out that like many other fisherman, when Mr MacAlister called the coastguard he was not wearing a lifejacket – but had agreed to put one on.
Wearing a properly maintained lifejacket would have allowed Mr MacAlister to float in the mildly cold waters for up to 90 minutes, the report states.
Mr MacAlister’s father says he would back calls for the boat to be lifted from the seabed to find out the facts behind his son’s disappearance.
Peter MacAlister said: ‘ His death has been brushed under the carpet by everyone and we need some answers.
‘A fatal accident inquiry for the dustbin lorry deaths in Glasgow took place within a few months and yet nearly three years later we are still waiting.’
Lala MacAlister still cannot take in the news of her son’s death. She said: ‘ I still think of him as missing.
‘ I know it is not going to happen, but that doesn’t stop me believing that he might walk in the door.
‘In my head I know he is not coming home – to find out what happened would give us all some closure.
‘ We need to know so we can begin to find some peace. It feels like no one is listening to us at all.’
Ms MacNab, who is mother to Mr MacAlister’s youngest son Finlay, who is now three, said: ‘ I still feel numb. We all think about Scott 24 hours a day.’
Ms MacNab and Mrs MacAlister believe Mr MacAlister’s body is trapped on the boat.
The family feel that lifting the boat and gathering all the evidence for a FAI would allow the authorities to put in place life- saving measures so that Mr MacAlister’s death can save other people.
Mr Russell has promised to raise the matter again with the Lord Advocate.
He said: ‘ I raised this matter some time ago and I am, to say the least, disappointed for the family that we are still waiting.
‘I will certainly raise the matter with the Lord Advocate again.
‘ There is a central unanswered question over Mr MacAlister’s death. I am supportive of a fatal accident inquiry.
‘I am happy to speak with the family at any time and I will be in touch with them when the Lord Advocate has replied to my letter.’
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: ‘ The investigation into the incident, led by our health and safety division, is on-going and no decision has yet been made regarding a fatal accident inquiry.
‘Raising a boat is a matter for the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, or the owner of the vessel.
‘ The Crown would be happy to meet with the family of Mr MacAlister to answer any questions they may have.’