Thousands of pounds has been raised for the bereaved families of two crewmen who died in a tugboat tragedy in the Firth of Clyde. George Taft, 65, and Ian Catterson, 73, perished when the vessel sank in Greenock last month, with their bodies later recovered..
A huge emergency response, including police divers and HM Coastguard, were scrambled to the incident outside the East India Harbour on February 24 after The Biter capsized. The Clyde Marine Services operated vessel had been escorting charter cruise ship, the Hebridean Princess, into the bay at the time of the incident.
The crewmen's two bodies were found by search police the following day. Following the tragedy, a friend of both men set up an online fundraiser to help their families deal with any financial hardships. Over £5,000 since been donated to the cause.
A statement on the JustGiving page reads: "Two tug men were sadly lost when the tug Biter sank off Greenock. These funds are to help the family's with ongoing financial support at this difficult time. The funds will be split between the two families of the lost tug men to help with their expenses."
Floods of tributes poured in for the two crewmen at the time of the tragedy. Mr Catterson, from Millport, was a well-known figure in his local area, with the community left devastated by the heartbreaking news of his passing. The sailor looked after his mum, Nancy, before she died and locals said the pair were "now together again".
Emma Newton said: "It was so sad to hear the confirmation of the rumours that Ian Catterson was one of those lost in the tugboat tragedy. He was a very quiet man who was incredibly kind to my mum when she was his mum Nancy’s carer. Rest in peace."
Mr Traft, from Greenock, was an avid seafarer who was described as "a brother of the sea" by former colleagues. Timothy Helmer said: "Sleep well and give that Davy Jones a good kicking. You were a good friend and brother of the sea."
Retired seaman Kenny Kemp added: "I have a lot of memories of George – a very good seaman and great friend. He worked at Holyhead Towing for many years. He liked to cook and was a quiet reserved guy.
"I have spoken to him many times since I retired and we always had good banter about times working together. He'll be sadly missed."
The vessel was recovered from the water last month, with the boat taken to Rhu. Police Scotland has launched an investigation into the tragic incident alongside the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An operation to recover the tugboat which capsized in the River Clyde off Custom House Quay in Greenock on Friday, 24 February is due to take place over the course of Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12. An investigation to establish the full circumstances is ongoing, in conjunction with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
Donate to the online fundraiser here.
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