Quesada survivors sail to lay wreath at fateful spot
THE remaining Quesada survivors paid an emotional visit to the exact location where the boat sank, the day before the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.
Sailing out with the RNLI last Sunday were David Johnston, Hamish Colville, John Docherty and Hugh Colville from the Quesada crew, and Campbell Stewart of the Moira.
Travelling with the RNLI was also the Rev Catriona Hood, whose father was heavily involved with Quesada funerals at the time of the tragedy.
She gave a fitting tribute to those lost, before the survivors placed a wreath and individual flowers on the spot to commemorate the dead.
Respects
David Colville, second mechanic of the RNLI, said: ‘We thought it would be a fitting way to pay our respects for all involved in the tragedy.
‘My father was one of the first to be rescued from the boat and I told Campbell Stewart that I owe my life to him. I have three kids because of the bravery of the rescuers that night.
‘It was a biblical storm they faced. It was pushing force 10 and these men selflessly risked their lives to try to save all the Quesada crew. They are pure heroes.’
David said that emotions were understandably running high and that all the lifeboat crew who sailed with the survivors spoke of their honour to attend.
He said: ‘We sailed to the wreck site and, after Catriona’s tribute, there was a minute’s silence. She said a few more words and then there was another si- lence at least five minutes long. It was such a poignant moment.
‘When we came back, instead of going straight to Campbeltown we went to the Otterard buoy, where the Quesada first came into trouble, and then followed the leading lights as they would have done to turn in and come home safely.
‘Out of respect, we did the turn they would have taken.’
Emotional
John Docherty, one of the survivors, said of the trip: ‘It was really emotional. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for it and the wreath between all of us was really bonny.
‘The boats all went out together, turned off their engines and tied up to the lifeboat during the service, as close to the record of where the boat went down.’