The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have confirmed in a statement that they have completed the survey of the FV Nancy Glen, but will not recover the wreck. The Scottish government will intervene to try and retrieve the bodies of the two missing fishermen

13 February

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have released a statement by Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents Steve Clinch confirming that they will not recover the wreck of fishing boat FV Nancy Glen, which sank in Loch Fyne on 18 January.

“The MAIB has now completed its review of the data obtained from last week’s underwater surveys of the wreck of FV Nancy Glen. 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.”, reads the statement.

Fishermen and fathers of two Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk were on the vessel when it sunk, but their bodies have yet to be recovered.

A third man, John Miller, was rescued and taken to hospital. He alerted the Coastguard about the other two casualties.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish government confirmed on Twitter that the government will intervene to retrieve the bodies and will cover the costs.

 

Nicola Sturgeon tweet FV Nancy Glen

Nicola Sturgeon's tweet about FV Nancy Glen

 

Scottish Government tweet FV Nancy Glen

 

Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said in a statement:

“This has been a deeply distressing time for the families of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk.

“In these tragic and extremely exceptional circumstances, with the Nancy Glen having been lost within sight of the family homes and the wider community, it is only right that the Scottish government intervenes and works with the families and salvage experts to search the vessel.

“The money raised through crowdfunding can go to the families rather than the recovery operation.

“A recovery operation will pose serious logistical challenges, and will need to be undertaken with the safety of divers and others involved uppermost in mind.

“This has been an upsetting time for all those involved, but we owe it to the families of the fishermen who were lost to mount this operation.

“And while there is no guarantee of a successful outcome, I hope our intervention will help bring some closure to the families and friends of Mr MacDougall and Mr Krawczyk.” the MSP concluded.

Clyde Fishermen’s Trust was quick to start a crowdfunding campaign to help the families of the casualties and have raised over £235,000.

 

 

22 January

Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk from Tarbert, Strathclyde, went missing on Thursday (18 January) when their 40ft fishing vessel Nancy Glen capsized on Loch Fyne.

On Thursday evening, just after 6pm, HM Coastguard received a 999 call and a distress alert from a vessel in Loch Fyne reporting that they had recovered a fisherman, John Miller.

Miller, who was taken to hospital and discharged on Friday, said that there were two more casualties in the water, fathers of two Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk.

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Tighnabruaich, Arran and Campbeltown RNLI lifeboats, the HM Coastguard Prestwick helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Campbeltown, Dunoon, Tarbert, Kames, Inverary and Crinan were all immediately deployed.  Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service and a number of commercial vessels were also at the scene.

Campbeltown RNLI lifeboat was out searching all night but did not manage to locate the missing men. The search has continued all weekend but with no success.

Nancy Glen could have sunk as deep as 100 metres, experts said, and the two men could have been trapped. The search is now been treated as a recovery operation.

Clyde Fishermen’s Trust were quick to set up a crowdfunding page on JustGiving to assist the fishermen’s families and the recovery search. They have already raised over £37,000.

 The  MAIB (Marine Accident Investigations Branch) has launched an investigation.