Retired Macduff skipper Colin Watt, of the Antares, has died aged 72.
The ex-ASCO marine controller and former merchant seaman was a second generation Aberdeenshire fisherman.
Fishing family
Colin Watt was born on June 25 1950 in Aberdeen. One of three children for skipper Bill Watt and his wife Ruby, an auxiliary nurse, the family lived on Fife Terrace, before moving to Mill Street, Macduff.
Colin attended Macduff Primary then Bracoden School to undertake nautical studies. From there he moved to Robert Gordon School of Navigation. His nautical studies prepared him for a life at sea starting with four years in the merchant navy.
Colin’s first journey, as a deck-cadet, took place in the August 1967 when he set sail for Australia.
He returned home from that first trip in March 1968 and would eventually leave the merchant navy in 1971.
The Antares
On returning to Macduff he joined his dad and brother on another sea vessel – this time the family’s wooden trawler, the Bennachie and then the Antares.
Colin took over as skipper on the Antares when his dad retired. From 1971 he worked as a fisherman enjoying his time in Macduff between voyages.
On one trip home his younger sister Margaret recruited her big brother and his record player to serve as a DJ at her friend’s 21st party.
It was there Colin first set eyes on the birthday girl – trainee nurse Sandra Tevendale – who would later become his wife.
‘Captain dad’
The young couple married in July 1974 in Fyvie Parish Church.
Their reception was at the Union in Turriff and they rented half a house in Macduff until they purchased their home in Whitehills.
In 1979 daughter Gail was born. Throughout his life Gail referred to her father as Captain Dad – a measure of the esteem she held him in.
“Some children of fishermen never saw their dads when they came home but when my dad was on shore, he was with us.
“He was always present and always intent on spending time with mum and I. We were very lucky indeed,” said Gail.
Home and away
Until 1990 fishing was Colin’s livelihood, however, a decision to sell the family boat wouldn’t mean a life on dry land.
Gail said: “Dad went back to college to get his master’s ticket – meaning he could be master of boats of all sizes. Granny once asked him what kind of boat he could take out now that he was qualified. He replied that he ‘could take out the QE2 if they wanted’. She was ‘fair tricket’.”
In October 2000 his first post as master saw him take command of the Havilla Searcher, in Brazil. He also worked as an on-field emergency anchor handler and in 2009 worked for a number of companies in Scandinavia, Europe and South America commanding supply vessels.
His final and best-loved role was as marine controller for ASCO in Aberdeen.
“He liked to describe it as air-traffic control for boats,” Gail explained.
Retirement
Outside of his job Colin was an accomplished golfer and clay-pigeon shooter. He teed off at the Royal Tarlair course and loved to visit Seafield Shooting Ground, Glenmoriston and Cushnie.
Colin and Sandra enjoyed canal boat holidays with friends to France, and both were involved with Whitehills Open Sea Rowing Club.
A man with a love of the outdoors Colin, known for his curious and caring nature, relished walking his retrievers Lola and Alfie whenever he could, and meeting new people.
Colin retired in 2017. Chopping wood, shooting and golf became more regular fixtures but in 2020 he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.
A sair fecht
“Dad’s attitude was ‘well, even if they can’t do anything for me, if I can help others I will’. So to that end he joined a medical trial for immunotherapy and gene therapy.
“For more than two years he made the most of every day, and was so fit and full of life, however, the last stretch was incredibly difficult,” added Gail. “From June last year he was hardly away from the ARI. As was typical of my dad he dealt with it all with grace and humour.”
Despite a marked decline in his health Colin spent February doing the things he loved – with those he loved.
“He filled the wood store for mum, we had a barbecue night, he went shooting with his friend Nigel, and my partner Grant and dad were forever chopping logs. It was like he had a bucket list to complete.”
‘We were so lucky to have him’
On March 14, after being admitted to Chalmers Hospital, Colin died.
A celebration of his life took place at Moray Crematorium where a selection of his favourite music was played and Gail read The Old Astronomer by Sarah Williams.
“He’s now at peace after a long and hard fight. But we miss him so very much.
“I’m very aware of how incredibly lucky we were to have had him. If only more people were as curious, warm and open as he was, the world would be a better place.”
More than £1000 was raised for Friends of Anchor and Chalmers Hospital at Colin’s funeral and via online donations, for the “exceptional care” he received from both.
You can read the family’s announcement here.
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