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Annual day of remembrance ‘will remind us of the dangers of the sea’





Ivor Mackay, Jackie Dodds and Willie Watt with pipers Glenn and Morven Miller at the Seafarers Memorial. Picture: Alan Hendry
Ivor Mackay, Jackie Dodds and Willie Watt with pipers Glenn and Morven Miller at the Seafarers Memorial. Picture: Alan Hendry

The newly introduced National Fishing Remembrance Day will serve as a reminder of the dangers of the sea and the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who rely on it for their livelihood, according to Jackie Dodds of the Fishermen’s Mission.

Mrs Dodds, the organisation’s area officer for Caithness and Orkney, was speaking during Sunday’s commemoration at the Seafarers Memorial in Wick.

“The Fishermen’s Mission has long championed the idea of a national fishing memorial day,” she told a large gathering of invited guests and onlookers at the Braehead. “This day serves as a solemn yet essential occasion to honour and remember all those fishermen who have been lost at sea, paying tribute to their courage, sacrifice and the vital role they played in our community.

“It is hoped it will become an annual focal point for remembrance, and connection with the national fishing industry. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of fishing to a wider audience because statistically fishing is one of the most dangerous professions in the UK with 11,000 people working on fishing vessels nationally in a harsh and unpredictable environment to bring ashore much-needed seafood.

“The sea has always played a central role in the history and identity of Caithness, and the herring industry in particular was a cornerstone of the local economy for generations. During the peak of the fishing industry in the last century Caithness thrived, and the industry helped shape the identity of the region.

“What wealth there was during the herring boom could be argued to have been built on the hard work of the fishermen. In risking their lives, they brought prosperity to Caithness and folk travelled from far and near to find work here.

“However, alongside the wealth that the fishing industry brought, there was also great loss.

Jackie Dodds, area officer for Caithness and Orkney with the Fishermen’s Mission, addressing guests at Sunday's remembrance event. Picture: Alan Hendry
Jackie Dodds, area officer for Caithness and Orkney with the Fishermen’s Mission, addressing guests at Sunday's remembrance event. Picture: Alan Hendry

“We need not look farther than Black Saturday [in 1848] when 37 men were lost just beyond the harbour you see behind me. It is hard to imagine how their families must have felt as they stood looking out at the boats, powerless to do anything.

“Today is a reminder of the dangers of the sea and the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who continue to work in the fishing industry.

“Going forward, the safety of fishermen must remain a top priority. We must commit to supporting fishermen and their families and do all we can to ensure that every fisherman returns safely home at the end of their trip.”

Speaking after the event, Mrs Dodds said: “There was something so poignant about the two-minute silence with just the sound of the sea in the background.”

Sunday saw the first UK-wide National Fishing Remembrance Day, after maritime welfare charities joined forces for a new annual day for reflection and commemoration.

Ali Godfrey, director of business development at the Fishermen’s Mission, said: “Our port team have been magnificent. We held 17 services around the UK and supported in six more.

“It has been an emotional and momentous day and it remains our privilege to be of service. Next year we hope to extend the reach of these services to many more areas.”

Members of the RNLI and HM Coastguard teams who took part in the National Fishing Remembrance Day ceremony at the Seafarers Memorial in Wick. Picture: Alan Hendry
Members of the RNLI and HM Coastguard teams who took part in the National Fishing Remembrance Day ceremony at the Seafarers Memorial in Wick. Picture: Alan Hendry
Members of the local RNLI crew looking on at Sunday's event. Picture: Alan Hendry
Members of the local RNLI crew looking on at Sunday's event. Picture: Alan Hendry
Some of the onlookers at the Braehead during the first National Fishing Remembrance Day commemoration in Wick. Picture: Alan Hendry
Some of the onlookers at the Braehead during the first National Fishing Remembrance Day commemoration in Wick. Picture: Alan Hendry
A wreath in the shape of an anchor was laid by Edward Atkins on behalf of the fishing industry. Picture: Alan Hendry
A wreath in the shape of an anchor was laid by Edward Atkins on behalf of the fishing industry. Picture: Alan Hendry
Some of the onlookers during the National Fishing Remembrance Day event at the Braehead. Picture: Alan Hendry
Some of the onlookers during the National Fishing Remembrance Day event at the Braehead. Picture: Alan Hendry

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