Last month, on October 13th, the fishing vessel Kilda, went out to work off the northeast coast of the island of Lewis. Amidst deteriorating weather conditions, the boat never returned. In the early hours of the following morning, the remains of the skipper were found near Port of Ness. Despite extensive searches, no trace of the other two crew members has been found, and the boat also remains missing. The funeral of Douglas Craigie has taken place in Carloway, a huge event that saw mourners seated in two churches and a community hall. A fundraiser on-line has gathered more than a quarter of a million pounds, a vast sum by any standard. Such, however, is the generosity of the people of this island in times of adversity, and this tragedy has affected everybody.
Yesterday, a liferaft from the Kilda washed up at West Burrafirth, on the west coast of Shetland, a mere 220 miles away to the northeast. I am faintly disgusted with the hype of some media outlet who posted this news as a "major breakthrough"; and with other outlets who are speculating regarding the involvement of a submarine in the loss of the Kilda. There is no evidence, and until the Marine Accidents Investigations Branch conclude their inquiries, we just don't know. We may never know what happened to that fishing vessel.
My thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with the families and friends of the crew of the Kilda.
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