A memorial is set to be unveiled in Kirkcudbright next month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a tragic fishing boat accident. The trawler Mhari-L sank in the Irish Sea on February 20, 1985, resulting in the loss of all five men aboard. The crew members – William Maxwell, Stuart and Keith Campbell, George McKend, and Mark Amos – met a tragic fate on that fateful day.
Donna McKnight, the daughter of Mark Amos, has been diligently working with other family members to organise a ceremony for the unveiling of the memorial in Kirkcudbright. Donna expressed her determination to ensure that the 40th anniversary of the tragedy did not go unmarked after feeling disappointed by the lack of recognition on the 30th anniversary. Currently, there is no specific memorial for these men, and Donna felt compelled to rectify this omission.
In collaboration with family members, Donna decided to proceed with the arrangement of the ceremony and the installation of a memorial in Kirkcudbright. The chosen memorial design, a boulder suggested by Kirkcudbright stone mason Dougie Swan, will be placed in front of the harbour master wall, symbolising the collective memory of the men who perished aboard the Mhari-L.
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place at Kirkcudbright Harbour Square on Saturday, February 22, at 2pm. The event will be open to everyone, with various speakers including Marian Dixon, a former Fishermen’s Mission superintendent, and Louise Liddell, the current mission area office. The tribute will also feature heartfelt contributions from the sister of one of the deceased crew members, aiming to honour and remember the lives lost in the tragedy.
To cover the costs of the memorial, a fundraiser has been initiated, with donations accepted at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mhari-l. Any surplus funds raised will be contributed to the Fishermen’s Mission and Kirkcudbright RNLI, supporting maritime safety and welfare initiatives.
In summary, the upcoming memorial unveiling in Kirkcudbright stands as a poignant gesture to honour the memory of the five men who tragically lost their lives aboard the Mhari-L 40 years ago. This event not only pays tribute to their sacrifice but also serves as a reminder of the inherent risks faced by those working at sea, highlighting the importance of maritime safety and the enduring resilience of coastal communities in commemorating their lost loved ones.