A fisherman’s association has raised over £40,000 to help retrieve the bodies of two fishermen believed to be trapped in their capsized boat in Loch Fyne.
Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk from Tarbert were on board the Nancy Glen TT100 fishing vessel when it capsized around 6pm last Thursday.
The incident sparked a major search by emergency services including RNLI volunteers from Tighnabruich, Arran and Cambeltown and divers from the Royal Navy, as well as support from Calmac ferries, HM Coastguard, Prestwick Helicopter, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The alarm was raised after a third crew member was rescued just north of Portavadie on Cowal’s south-west shore.
In a bid to support the families of the lost crewman, the Clyde Fishermen’s Trust set up a Justgiving page, which has so far raised £ 49,673 with donations continuing to pour in by the minute.
Elaine Whyte, Executive Secretary for Clyde Fishermen’s Association said they are eternally grateful for the generosity so many have shown. She said: “We are very happy that people have given so generously. The current situation is we believe the men are still stuck on the boat. The bodies are there in plain view of the families and it’s difficult for them.
“We hope the funds can just go straight to the families. There are four young children and we would really like to make sure it goes to them. We are absolutely grateful for the outstanding support, so quickly.”
The association is working alongside the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Royal Navy in a bid to retrieve the sunken vessel at an estimated cost of £1 million.
A Police spokeswoman said: “The search for the two missing fishermen is continuing in Loch Fyne in the area where the boat has been located.
“We have been assisting our partner agencies with this operation since the vessel overturned on Thursday 18 January.
“Police Scotland and MAIB are investigating the circumstances to establish the cause of the incident.”
