Remembering victims of Solway Harvester tragedy

Seven Scottish fishermen who died in Manx waters will be remembered in a commomeration event this morning.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Solway Harvester tragedy.

The crew, lost their lives when their scallop dredger from Kirkcudbright sank in heavy storms on 11 January 2000 - 11 miles south-east of the Island.

The bodies of all seven Galloway men were found inside the sunken wreck.

The seven were: skipper Andrew Mills (known as Craig), 29; his brother Robin Mills, 33; their cousin David Mills, 17; Martin Milligan, 26; John Murphy, 22; David Lyons, 18; and Wesley Jolly, 17.

As a mark of respect the Chief Minister and representatives of organisations who helped with the rescue attempt and the recovery of the men will lay a wreath at the Solway Harvester memorial on Douglas Head at 11am today.

Members of the Island’s fishing community, the Royal National Lifeboat Association, Coastguard, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and Douglas Borough Council will all be in attendance.

The Solway Harvester was eventually demolished in Douglas in 2013.