A Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held into death of a fisherman lost at sea.
But Scott MacAlister’s family say they will never find peace until the creel boat on which he was the sole occupant is brought to the surface.
The 40-year-old father of three, from the isle of Luing, south of Oban, was lost when the 27ft long prawn boat Speedwell went down off Easdale island on April 25 2013.
His body has never been recovered and his mother, Lala MacAlister, 66, believes it is still on the boat.
Mrs MacAlister, of Oban, said: “We are trying hard to get this boat lifted and we are getting nowhere. All the proof is in that boat.
“What is the point in having a FAI when all the evidence is sitting in the boat? I would hope the boat will be lifted before the FAI takes place.
“I still think my son is on that boat and we will never rest until we know.”
She said her thoughts were with the families after the recent sinking of the Louisa off the Western Isles with the loss of three lives.
“My heart goes out to the people on that big crab boat. It brings it all back.”
On Monday the MacAlister family will mark the third anniversary. They will go to a spot at Tigh-An-Truish on Seil, which overlooks the area of sea off Easdale island where Speedwell was last seen, and throw flowers in the water.
Mrs MacAlister said: “What else can we do? We have no grave to visit.
“We have put a bench at Tigh-An-Truish and Mathew Ramsay of the Fishermen’s Mission has put a plaque on it. He has been marvelous.”
Michael Russell, prospective Scottish parliamentary candidate for Argyll and Bute, said: “The Lord Advocate has confirmed there will be a FAI.
“It is extremely important that there is evidence lead. There is a lot of preparation to be done. I imagine the inquiry will take place in autumn or thereafter.
“The decision to raise the boat is something that will have to be debated over the next few months.
“I think it should be raised. My view is that it will be difficult to get complete answers without it being raised.
“I have made that point to the Crown Office and I will continue to make that point on behalf of the family.”
A Crown Office spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Crown intends to hold a FAI in relation to this death and will ensure the family of Mr MacAlister continue to be updated as to any developments.”
He added that raising the boat would be a matter for the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch (MAIB) or the owner of the boat.
The MAIB published its final report in January 2014. It concluded that “Speedwell probably sank as a result of water ingress through an unsealed and unsecured flush deck hatch leading to the vessel’s aft store.”
It added that other factors included a faulty bilge pump and bilge alarm, the single-handed operation of the vessel which seriously compromised the skipper’s ability to deal with the situation, and lifesaving equipment that was out of date, had not been serviced and was not used.
The MAIB recommended that the owner John Connell take steps to ensure any boat he owns in the future is operated safely.
A spokesman for the MAIB said: “We assessed whether or not to raise the vessel at the time of our investigation, but as other evidence was available to help our investigation it was not necessary.”
