Families express thanks as fishermen return home

THREE months after the Nancy Glen sank in Loch Fyne, two fishermen lost in the tragedy have been returned to their loved ones.

Skipper Duncan MacDougall, aged 46, and crewman Przemek Krawczyk, 38, went down when the Tarbert fishing boat capsized then sank – despite the efforts of seafarers and rescue agencies who came to her aid. A third crewman, 34-year-old John Miller, was rescued from the loch by a fish farm boat.

A campaign began almost immediately to recover the vessel from its resting place 140 metres down, off Barmore Island. A fundraising campaign garnered donations from people from across Scotland and further afield, but it was only when the Scottish Government pledged support that the campaign gathered real pace.

After weeks of preparation, on the morning of the April 12 Nancy Glen was recovered from Loch Fyne. Both men were found to be on board and this week they returned home to Tarbert. The funeral of Duncan MacDougall was held yesterday (Wednesday April 18) and a service will be held for Przemek Krawczyk on Saturday, April 21, at Tarbert Parish Church.

Central to the campaign to bring the boys home was the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), under the chairmanship of Tarbert man Kenny MacNab. The association this week thanked the agencies involved in the operation to bring the fishermen home.

A statement read: ‘There are simply too many names and organisations to list, however please be assured of our eternal gratitude to you all.

‘We would like to thank the public for the immense show of support, it has been humbling beyond words to experience the heartfelt solidarity and generosity on such a local, national and international level.’

After a complex operation to raise the vessel, the CFA added: ‘We are particularly grateful Scottish Ministers agreed to fund the cost of the recovery operation, allowing fundraised monies to go directly to the families affected by this tragedy.’

‘We also thank our local elected representatives and the UK Government for their words of support.’

Through the CFA, Duncan MacDougall’s family thanked everyone who helped bring Duncan and Przemek back home. They also thanked the community of Tarbert and many communities nationally and internationally who proved to be a ‘tower of strength’ at a difficult time.

Przemek’s wife Gosia said: ‘It is impossible to put into words the effect the loss of Przemek has had on our family.

‘On behalf of my family, thank you very much for the support, help, prayers coming from all over Scotland and the world.

‘I would particularly like to thank the community of Tarbert and the surrounding area for their enormous help, extreme support and kind words each day for the last 12 weeks.’