During the gap of the last couple of days I have been thinking about how news can be slanted according to the way it is presented. For instance: “Mayday, Mayday, Halcyon of Seil holed and sinking fast…….the three on board escaped without injury” – or “Halcyon was damaged on rocks north of Shuna and the crew came back to Balvicar in the dinghy.” Both true, but one gives a more dramatic twist to the story than the other. Yes, sadly, the Captain's boat has had a major accident – a sinking in fact. However, it has been raised by a salvage crew using flotation bags and is being brought ashore this evening. once the water has finally drained away it will be possible to assess the damage, though 54hrs underwater won't have done electrics, navigation equipment or engine much good. And of course there is the damage to the hull. I was not on board myself: crew consisted of the Captain – Robin; number three son – Rab; and his support worker. They all seem to have behaved impeccably and shock only set in yesterday.
As I said, it is all the way you say it. Thankfully no-one was hurt, the weather was fair and if an accident like that is going to happen, it was handy that it was within 3 miles of the home port.