Constant Star PD172

Gavin Gait · Dec 4, 2007

That was August 1987 that happened I think , pretty sure it was the week I was through on detached duty to Peterhead for the Herring when I worked in the Fishery Office.

adam+ryan · Dec 5, 2007

Aye davie it was august 1987 both boat was running for shelter it was a force 8/9 the life boat had been searching for the 8 crew men but had not found anything the search was about to be called off but the lifeboat took 1 last look and spotted a liferaft drifting south but it was empty. Then they spotted the crew members ontop of the wheelhouse roof waving there arms all 8 crew members was air lifed by the search and rescue helicopter.

Gavin Gait · Dec 5, 2007

That was the same week or the week after the Hungerford massacre too , some week for news that week !!! I remember the helicopter rescue tho , saw it flying over the harbour on its way out when I was doing a monitor on one of the herring pair boats.

adam+ryan · Dec 5, 2007

It just shows you though if the life boat had just gave up and not took that last look the 8 men would have still been missing to this day.

Gavin Gait · Dec 5, 2007

Aye they got very very lucky that day adam+ryan think that would have been me ashore if i'd been one of the crew though , don't think I could have gone back lol

adam+ryan · Dec 5, 2007

i spoke to a guy 1 time davie and i said the same to him that after the boat he had been aboard had sank that if it was me i would have got a job ashore and he said that he didnt know anything else and it was just like riding a bike for the 1st time when you fall off you get back on that was his views on it ha.