Holyrood will pay to raise boat to recover two sailors
Public cash for bid to remove bodies from capsized trawler
ATTEMPTS to recover the bodies of two fishermen lost in a trawler tragedy will be paid for by the Scottish Government after marine investigators ruled out a salvage operation.
John Miller, 34, was the only survivor after the 40ft Nancy Glen capsized in Loch Fyne last month.
Skipper Duncan MacDougall, 46, and crewmate Przemek Krawczyk, 38, were lost when the prawn trawler sank.
Experts from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have been examining the wreck, carrying out sonar scans and using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to record the vessel.
Yesterday, it said it had gathered enough evidence to complete the investigation and added: ‘We do not intend to recover the wreck.’
The Scottish Government then said it would work with salvage specialists to examine whether the Nancy Glen can be lifted from its position on the seabed at a depth of around 450ft.
That could allow divers to recover the bodies of the men.
Around £200,000 raised through fundraising to help pay for a private salvage bid will now go to the families affected.
Mr Krawczyk’s wife Gosia posted her reaction to the news on social media, writing: ‘Przemek my love – you are coming home! Thank you Scottish Government!’
The tragedy on January 18 hap- pened a few miles from the crew’s home port of Tarbert, Argyll.
Yesterday, MAIB chief inspector Steve Clinch said: ‘The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has now completed its review of the data obtained from last week’s surveys of the wreck.
‘From this, and other evidence collected, we now know enough about the circumstances of the accident for us to complete our investigation, and we do not intend to recover the wreck.
‘Our thoughts are with the families of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk, who have been informed of the decision.’
Following the announcement, Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘This has been a deeply distressing time for the families of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk.
‘In these tragic and exceptional circumstances, with the Nancy Glen having been lost within sight of the family homes and the wider community, it is only right the Scottish Government intervenes and works with salvage experts to search the vessel.
‘A recovery operation will pose serious challenges and will need to be undertaken with the safety of divers and others involved uppermost in mind.
‘We owe it to the families of the fishermen who were lost to mount this operation.
‘While there is no guarantee of a successful outcome, I hope our intervention will help bring some closure to the families and friends
‘We owe it to the families’
of Mr MacDougall and Mr Krawczyk.’
Writing on Twitter, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said ‘While there can be no guarantee of success, we owe it to the families to do everything possible.
‘The costs of the recovery operation will be met by the Scottish Government, allowing the money raised through crowdfunding to support the families who have lost their loved ones.’
Last night, the Clyde Fishermen’s Association said: ‘Our thanks go to the Scottish Government for their commitment today to make every effort to retrieve our fishermen and bring them home to rest in Tarbert with their families, friends and community.
‘We understand this operation may not be successful but we are assured of their promise to do all they can to achieve this task.’