Cromarty mourns loss of fisherman – Fishupdate.com

Cromarty mourns loss of fisherman Published:  04 February, 2010

THE community in Cromarty was mourning the death of one of its fishermen after he fell overboard while creel fishing in the Moray Firth three days ago.

He was named yesterday as 54 year old Alexander Keith of Cromarty, who was married with a grown up family and came from a well known local fishing family..

The alarm was raised on Monday by another skipper after Alexander Keith’s boat, the Wilma K was spotted aground on rocks Mr Keith had been working alone aboard the Wilma K, which was named after his wife, Wilma

The skipper of the Falcon reported the stranded boat about 2.45pm to Aberdeen Coastguard and a helicopter was sent out to search for the missing fisherman.

Buckie and Invergordon lifeboats and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter were called to the area off the South Souter landmark at the entrance of Cromarty Firth.

Coastguards spotted the fisherman in the water and they airlifted the unconscious man to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. However he was later pronounced dead on arrival.

George Downie, watch manager, at Aberdeen Coastguard said: “This is another tragic incident where a single-handed fisherman has lost his life working at sea. Despite the best efforts of his rescuers, they were unable to resuscitate him. The family of this man have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

The last few weeks have taken a heavy toll on UK fishermen, with at least two other deaths and a number of serious incidents and collisions which have required the rescue services.