Dad worked on the water all his life yet he drowned. It can happen to anyone

Andy Wood was about as experienced as anyone can be on the water.

A harbourmaster, RNLI lifeboat crew member and keen fisherman all his life, he knew only too well the dangers of Loch Lomond.

But the dad-offour tragically lost his life on the water, aged just 46.

His daughter Leanne Forbes said: “I think it showed us though that no matter how experienced you are in the water, you can still be caught out. There are hidden dangers.”

Andy was out fishing with friends on Loch Lomond on October 27, 2007, when the boat he was in got into difficulties and capsized.

Forbes, 36, from Thurso, still remembers that night as if it were yesterday.

“It was the last day of the fishing season and many boats went up the loch that day. It was sunny and calm. They were just on their way back, but the weather changed. It got stormy, and dark.

“The boat capsized and everyone ended up in the water. Dad drowned and tragically wasn’t the only one who didn’t survive.

“Mum got a call to say there had been an accident. We didn’t have many details but I think we all knew the severity of it. They hadn’t found dad yet, but I thought maybe he had made his way to safety.

“Dad had been fishing all his life and nothing like this had ever happened before. He went to sea as a 15-year-old after getting a job on a fishing boat. He had sailed all over the world in dangerous conditions.

“He was a member of the Thurso lifeboat crew and extremely experienced in the water and trained to save lives.

“Over the years out fishing, he had even helped other people who had got into trouble. He knew what he was doing.

“I just kept thinking he would turn up.”

Sadly 16 days after the tragic accident, Andy’s body was recovered.

Mum-of-two Forbes said: “It was actually his friends who found him. They had gone out to help with the search. I was numb, but I guess that brought us some comfort that he had been found.

“And the fact that, as tragic as it was, he was doing what he loved.

“It’s not until you have experienced it that you realise accidents on the water can happen.

“I remember hearing about the recent deaths on Loch Lomond and it brought it all the pain and heartbreak back. It’s something you never really get over.

“We need to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers of the water. It is so much more dangerous than people think.”