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Glengad woman who lost father at
sea backs fundraiser
27.04.15
AN Inishowen woman who
lost her father in a fishing tragedy when she was
just six weeks old is lending her support to Mayday,
the RNLI’s national fundraising campaign which runs
from May 1- May 4.
Almost 28 years on from the tragedy, Eimear McDaid
recently met with Anthony Chambers, a volunteer
lifeboat crew member from Portrush in Co Antrim, who
can remember the day when he joined in the search
for two missing fishermen from a crew of five, off
the coast of Donegal. |
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Eimear McDaid and her mother Sally
from Glengad pictured with Portrush RNLI mechanic
Anthony Chambers who was involved in the search for
David McDaid nearly 28 years ago. |
It was September 20,
1987, that 27-year old David McDaid from Glengad in
Malin said goodbye to wife Sally and baby daughter
Eimear and went fishing for crab on the Boy Shaun,
from Portaleen Pier, on what was an idyllic day for
fishing. The weather was mild and the water was calm
as the boat headed for Inishtrahull Island just off
the coast of Malin Head.
Around lunchtime, another boat which had been in
recent contact with the Boy Shaun, noticed that the
vessel was no longer in view.
"From what I have learned, the skipper then
attempted to contact the Boy Shaun by radio but got
no response," said Eimear.
"Fearing the worst, he steamed off in the direction
of where they had last seen the boat and discovered
a small amount of debris and oil slick on the water
where they had last seen the Boy Shaun. They had
just a short time earlier spoke to the crew of the
boat about them both heading back to land to get
home in time to watch the All-Ireland GAA football
final."
The skipper immediately raised the alarm. The area
of the oil slick was searched and one survivor was
discovered clinging to a short plank of wood from
the stricken vessel. Two bodies, one of which was
David’s, were subsequently found.
"None of the five fishermen were wearing lifejackets
that day," added Eimear.
"I was told the crew would have found them to be too
cumbersome to work with. Thankfully, lifejackets
have much improved since then, and they are now
neater and easier to wear.
"It was a tragedy that changed the course of life
for my mother and me. I have grown up without a
father and without answers as to what caused the
boat to sink on what was described as such an
idyllic fishing day. As a result of the tragedy
however, we both have a healthy respect for the sea.
It is a powerful force and one not to be reckoned
with."
Anthony Chambers also recalled the events as "a
terrible tragedy for the families involved".
Eimear and her mum and backing the RNLI Mayday
campaign from May 1- May4 with its yellow welly
motif. They are urging people to donate, buy and
wear a yellow welly to show their support. |
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