Campaigners want the UK government to do the "humane" thing
Distraught campaigners have vowed to raise a sunken fishing vessel in a bid to bring to shore two local fishermen who perished in the icy waters of Loch Fyne.
A fundraising page has already raised over £200,000 with donations pledged from as far as Russia and the USA.
The search for Duncan MacDougall, 46, and Przemek Krawczyk in the Argyll waters is now a recovery operation despite a heroic attempt to save them.
And local campaigners, backed by former first minister Alex Salmond, are pressurising the UK government to do the “humane” thing and bring the fishermen’s bodies back to shore.
The pair became trapped when the 40ft Nancy Glen overturned – with pal John Miller, 34, being rescued by a passing vessel.
The Marine Accident Investigations Branch (MAIB) will carry out a sonar survey and send down a remote operated vehicle today (5 February) to check the Nancy Glen before a report on the sinking is prepared.
However it is unlikely MAIB will recommend a recovery operation.
The Clyde Fishermen’s Association and Clyde Fishermen’s Trust who are coordinating the fundraising campaign said if statutory authorities and the UK government refuse to mount the recovery, locals have pledged to do so via massive fundraising campaign.
Elaine Whyte, executive secretary for the Clyde Fishermen’s Association and Clyde Fishermen’s Trust, said: “We have obtained a range of different quotes from specialist contractors which we are not releasing at the moment, as we thought it might be the case that the Marine Accident Investigations Branch would not raise the Nancy Glen.
“Since we set up the JustGiving page we have had to change the target upwards as more and more people contributed in what has been a fantastic response to the appeal.
“Our concern is to recover the Nancy Glen but both men had young children and we will do anything we can to ease the burden on the families.
“It is never going to bring the men back, but if they don’t have to worry so much about mortgages and other expenses then that would be helpful to them.
“We have been told that MAIB will go out tomorrow, weather permitting, and we should have their decision on Monday.
“The Scottish Government have been very helpful, I must say, and we are ready to play our part to help the families.”
The JustGiving crowdfunding page said: “We thank everyone for their donations to the family. Can we stress we do not have a target to reach, we will continue to receive donations as long as people’s generosity allows."
