Fishermen survived North Sea ordeal with 'just a flask of tea and two biscuits'

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/22/fishermen-north-sea-rescue-aberdeenshire-tea-biscuits

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Two fishermen feared lost at sea have said they got through their two-day ordeal on a small flask of tea and a couple of biscuits.

James Reid, 75, and his grandson David Irvine, 35, returned to shore on Thursday after their "miracle" discovery by another boat off the Aberdeenshire coast.

The men had been due to return to Gourdon harbour on Tuesday morning on their vessel the Water Rail but they ran off course when their compass stopped working.

Thick fog then resulted in them getting "completely lost" and they were unable to contact anyone as Irvine said he forgot to take his phone.

A large-scale search for the boat was called off last night but the pair were spotted by a passing fishing vessel this morning, 46 miles off the coast of north-east Scotland.

The crew of the Sylvia Bowers DS8 reported picking them up safe and sound at about 8am. A lifeboat later brought the men ashore to be reunited with their relieved families in Montrose.

The pair, from Inverbervie, said they first realised they were in trouble after seven hours but never gave up hope of being rescued and passed the time "cursing one another", according to Reid.

He said: "We had a litre and half of water, a small flask of tea enough for two and half cups and two biscuits, that was it.

"We set the compass and it must have stuck, it wasn't in the right direction.

"We didn't know where we were."

He said it was "the best thing in the world" when the lifeboat arrived, while Irvine said he felt "relief and shock".

The first thing he said to the rescuers was "boy, am I glad to see you," said Reid.

The pair said they were more worried about the lifeboat crews looking for them than for their own safety.

Irvine said: "We have spoken to a couple of family members and they have told us that there were lots and lots of people out, so we have got to thank them for being out and risking themselves looking for us."

Their boat sunk while being towed back to shore.

When asked how long it will be before he is back out on the water, Reid said: "It depends what my wife says."

A massive air and sea search was launched at around noon on Tuesday after the small fishing boat was reported overdue.

The men had set sail in the early hours and were expected to return at about 10am.

Reid's sister Dorothy Milne, who lost her nephew at sea more than two decades ago, spoke of her relief following the discovery of her brother.

Milne, 72, said: "It's just magic, that's all I can say.

"We found out he was lost on Tuesday. My sister and I were away on a trip. I just thought, we've lost another at sea.

"I heard he had been found this morning. I was lying in my bed.

"My brother-in-law phoned and said 'I hope you're lying down', and I thought, he's about to tell me they're dead.

"He said, 'They're alive, Dot - 50 miles away they are.' It's just a dream."It's dangerous. The sea can be calm one minute and the swell can come and that's it."

Reid said he had just one hour of sleep throughout the ordeal while his grandson got "half a day's" sleep.

The coastguard said the navigation gear on the Water Rail had failed, leaving the two men in thick fog, unable to tell where they were going.

Local councillor Alison Evison said: "It's wonderful, tremendous news. There is a lot of relief all round and a lot of joy.

"It's a miracle, really. Everyone's prayers have been answered."

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead hailed the discovery as "great news".

He said: "It's times like these that really brings home how dangerous a job our fishermen do, day after day, to provide fresh fish for us all to enjoy and I am delighted that this incident has had a happy ending."