PICTURES: Wick event honours fishermen lost at sea and the families left behind
The dangers faced by generations of fishermen, and the emotional consequences for families after tragedies at sea, were underlined at a service in Caithness at the weekend.
The Seafarers Memorial at Wick’s Braehead again provided a focal point for National Fishing Remembrance Day, a UK-wide commemoration launched in 2024 to honour those who have lost their lives while working in the industry.
The service was led by Jackie Dodds, mission officer for Orkney and Caithness at the Fishermen’s Mission.
She addressed a gathering of more than 100, including representatives of the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and the Caithness branch of the Merchant Navy Association, as well as local RNLI and HM Coastguard teams.
Many members of the public turned out to pay their respects.
Speaking before the start of the event, Mrs Dodds explained: “The Fishermen’s Mission has always wanted a day where we’d be able to have reflection for the fishermen that have lost their lives around these coasts – and, let’s face it, there has been many a house that has lost somebody, because we’re a fishing community.
“In Caithness we’ve had our share of tragedies, so it’s an honour and a privilege to be here today to just take a minute to pause and to remember those that have lost their lives – and not only the ones that have lost their lives, but families that have been left behind.
“Now we get information within a few minutes. Even 50 years ago, if something happened to a boat, you could be days waiting to find out what happened to your loved one.
“Today is about all the fishermen that have lost their lives at sea.”
The service took place in glorious weather, with Wick Bay sparkling in the sunshine, but Mrs Dodds acknowledged that conditions are not always so benign.
“I think it’s really important to highlight what it takes to get the fish on the table on a Friday,” she said. “It’s dangerous work – there’s almost not a comparable industry in the British Isles today that has that level of danger.
“I’ve often come here, as I bet a lot of local folk have, and looked out over the bay and seen the waves crashing over the harbour, and your first thought when you see that is: ‘I’m so glad I’m not out there.’
“What about those that are brave enough to be on the water during a storm?
“Accidents can happen at any time when you’re out at sea, and by definition it’s when it is least expected, so the shock that the families feel is always tremendous – and I think that shock lives with them.
“There’s something about seeing your loved one go off to sea and maybe recalling, ‘Oh, I didn’t kiss him goodbye that morning.’
“We have to remember that it’s the lifetime of that person that matters and that they were loved.”
Mrs Dodds also praised the “dedication and bravery” of lifeboat crews.
The Seafarers Memorial, created by Alan Beattie Herriot for the Seafarers Memorial Group, was officially opened in May 2023 after a five-year campaign to raise more than £100,000 for a sculpture honouring all those lost at sea from or in the WK registration area.
Willie Watt, chairman of the Seafarers Memorial Group, told the gathering on Sunday: “I am very proud to be part of this service to remember all those fishermen that did not return home while fishing the seas around our coast.
“This setting and the beautiful monument is the perfect spot to reflect and remember all the souls that perished in the cold waters.
“Our monument has now been up for two years and never a day goes by but there are folk milling around it, either learning or reflecting as they look out to sea. Its message is ‘the sea gives with one hand and takes away with the other’.
“Fishing has been the lifeblood for the counties of the far north of Scotland and we owe so much to the legacy they left us still to this day.”
Jenny Szyfelbain read out a poem she had written for the occasion, entitled A Fisherman’s Daughter.
Allan Lipp, coxswain of Wick lifeboat, also gave an address. He said the day was an opportunity to reflect on all who have lost their lives at sea around Caithness and beyond.
“Our harbour here in Wick was built upon the fishing industry, and the town has grown with this too,” Mr Lipp said. “Along the Caithness coastline and beyond, there are countless harbours built on fishing.
“Generations of families have worked in one of the most dangerous occupations. All too frequently, however, we are reminded of the dangers associated with this occupation.
“Sadly, our own community has over the years felt the pain of loss where loved ones, family and friends have not returned from sea.
“Since 1848 there has been a lifeboat in Wick, crewed by volunteers who are continuously ready and willing to respond to any emergency at sea or along our coastline.”
He added: “The sea is dangerous and needs to be treated with respect, but around the coast the RNLI is present. Today, some of the hazards which caused disasters at sea in the past are still present, and as lifeboat crew we train and work tirelessly to manage those hazards as best we can.
“Whilst we can never eliminate all the risk, we do whatever possible to manage it.”
A two-minute silence was observed before piper Glenn Miller played the lament Flowers of the Forest. Glenn and his sister Morven, both of whom are members of Wick RBLS Pipe Band, later played the pipe tune WK Seafarers Memorial which was composed by Ivor Mackay for the official unveiling of the statue two years ago.
Angus Mackay and Kevin McDonald from the local Legion branch carried the King’s colours and Legion colours respectively, while Colin Smith carried the standard of the Merchant Navy.
Wreaths were laid by Allan Lipp and Mhairi Ross, of Wick RNLI, on behalf of the Fishermen’s Mission, and by Mike Coupland for the Caithness branch of the Merchant Navy Association.
Mrs Dodds concluded the service with a prayer.
National Fishing Remembrance Day was created in partnership between the Fishermen’s Mission, The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris, Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
If you like reading the Groat and Courier online, you can subscribe for unlimited web access for just £20 for the first year of your subscription. Access every story and every e-edition of both titles online or on the HNM app with your subscription, as well as access to seven other HNM titles including the Northern Times and Inverness Courier. Go to the subscribe page and use the code ALANHENDRY at checkout to claim this offer on a Digital+ annual subscription.