I’ve seen how perilous the sea can be.. now I want to make a difference
Trawlerman who lost four pals in tragedy returns to the water as a lifeboatman
A FISHERMAN left devastated when four colleagues died in a trawler tragedy is returning to the sea as a lifeboatman.
Tam Fyall, 59, is now deputy second coxswain at Anstruther lifeboat station in Fife after battling posttraumatic stress disorder.
The appointment marks a remarkable turnaround after the Meridian disaster in 2006 left him too distressed to leave shore.
The accident claimed the lives of Fifers Martin Gardner, 49, Edward Gardner, 50, Ian Donald, 55, and Sidney Low, 52, from Aberdeen.
Only Edward’s body has been found.
Tam normally sailed with the men on the Meridian but took charge of another boat, the Duthies II, on the night of October 26, 2006, to cover for a crew member who was on holiday.
The two trawlers were guarding a section of pipeline under construction 160 miles east of Aberdeen when contact with the Meridian was lost during force 10 and 11 gales.
Tam tried to reach his
colleagues on the stricken vessel but had no chance.
An intensive search took place throughout the night after which he and his crew were stood down.
As they embarked on the long sail back, they heard that a body had been recovered.
Tam said he would never forget his lost friends but he was sure they would approve of his new role with the RNLI.
He said: “Coming back into Peterhead that morning in 2006, I never envisaged I would take charge of a lifeboat and her crew at the drop of a hat.
“The level of training and commitment given by the RNLI crew has helped me overcome my fears and I have my confidence back.”
Tam battled PTSD and struggled to overcome the loss.
But in 2007, he got back into work when he became harbour master in Pittenweem.
He was encouraged to start volunteering for the RNLI by his cousin Alex Purves, a former lifeboat second coxswain.
After a couple of years on dry land, Tam took to the sea again to become a crew member aboard the Anstruther lifeboat.
Tam’s experiences had left him in no doubt about the vital role of the RNLI in coastal communities.
He said: “I still find myself preaching to seafarers on safety, lifejackets and planning.
“I want to help and make a difference as I have seen how perilous the sea can be.”