04-01-2015 8:27 AM
eight missing men and their families from the ship that has overturned near the Pentland Firth. The full crew of the ship are missing and where it happened is a very treacherous part of the coast with high winds adding to the tidal race.
04-01-2015 8:31 AM
04-01-2015 8:34 AM
What makes it particularly relevant to me ed is, I am ex merchant navy and know the stretch of water very well having sailed through it many times and know how bad it can be.
Any tragedy like this at sea makes me think there but for the grace of god.
04-01-2015 8:44 AM
04-01-2015 2:02 PM
I also read about it and that it wasn't discovered for some time so no distress calls or alert beacons set off apparently?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30667084
Very sad as it now appears to have sunk completely.
04-01-2015 2:40 PM - edited 04-01-2015 2:41 PM
The only other time I have heard of a ship turning turtle without sending out a mayday is when the "Lairdsfield" went over in 1970 with the loss of all hands, some of the crew I knew well. One even came from the same town as me.
04-01-2015 7:12 PM
They're a hardy breed these Seafarers, they work hard and long for their money; in often extremely dangerous conditions........they have always been people I admired.
04-01-2015 7:49 PM - edited 04-01-2015 7:50 PM
Yes evo it can be dangerous but it was a job I loved and would have went back after my accident if I could have passed the medical but failed so had to come ashore. 12 years I did and loved every minute of it.
04-01-2015 9:03 PM
The magnetism of that way of life has long since been recognized by many.......including famous Poets.
04-01-2015 11:50 PM
That's a wonderful poem evo, I remember it from my youth.
All these shipping and air accidents over recent days are indeed very sad for the families and friends, such heartbreak.
05-01-2015 8:56 AM
Lovely poem. My little brother read it at my Dads funeral last year. He was in the Merchant Navy in WW2 and took part in the Arctic Convoys. Received his Arctic Star in 2013 but died before receiving his Ushakov medal from Russia, that successive UK governments had blocked for so many years
05-01-2015 6:54 PM
Sir may you rest in peace now you have dropped anchor for the final time. A brave man that we owe much to.