About AOS
Pastoral care on the Clyde
Shortly before Christmas 2007, tug boat The Flying Phantom capsized on the River Clyde with the loss of three lives. The Flying Phantom was one of three tugs escorting bulk carrier Red Jasmine into dock. The crew of the Red Jasmine found themselves caught up in the tragedy. AOS port chaplain Fr Danny McLoughlin kept a diary of events
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Thursday 20 December
The incident occurred where the River Cart enters the Clyde, almost at the end of the runway of Glasgow Airport. So I first go to Clydebank to talk with the Police divers. They explain how difficult the conditions are: almost no visibility and very cold water. At the moment they are not even sure how the tug is lying. Until they can ascertain that, they cannot explore further. I deeply admire the work these guys are doing: difficult work, in effect they are looking for dead bodies. But it is heroic work as the families will not be able to grieve properly until the bodies are found.
From Clydebank I cross back under the Clyde to visit the Red Jasmine, a bulk carrier flagged in Panama. Needless to say the ship is crawling with all sorts of officials. The crew are pleased to see me and they obviously want to talk about what has happened. We are all in the mess with the television flickering in the corner. While I am there the local news comes on and there is total silence while they listen to the reports of the accident.
Friday 21 December
Another visit to Red Jasmine. Again, it is a matter of being on hand to talk to the crew and trying to keep them up to date with the developments about the search for the missing tugmen.
Saturday 22 December
Manage to make a late visit to Red Jasmine after celebrating Vigil Mass at St Fillan's. The crew are still not allowed off ship. It has been bitterly cold these last few days and they ask if I can supply them with some warm clothes. I tell them I'll see what I can do. As I leave the ship, I am puzzled that one of the ABs comes down the gangway after me. He asks if I could get him some warm socks. Perhaps he did not want to make this request in front of his colleagues.
Sunday 23 December
At the two Sunday Masses today I ask if anyone has a jumper which “Aunty Jean gave you last Christmas and you don’t wear” or any other men’s winter clothes which I could bring to the crew of the Red Jasmine. Bowled over at the response, I am inundated with clothes. Those who did not have something to donate went and bought fleeces for the crew. I fill five large bags with good quality winter clothes. One of the officers takes charge of them and ensures that every crew member receives something in his size.
When I return to the parish, I cannot get in my front door for the number of bags of donated clothing piled up in front of it! This will be sorted after New Year for distribution to other ships in the coming weeks.
Monday 24 December
The crew still cannot get off the ship. Having cleared it with the captain, I bring aboard the wine, whisky and cakes which were donated by parishioners. I hope it brings a little bit extra cheer to Christmas. They very kindly invite me to join them for their Christmas dinner which they have on Christmas Eve. As much as I would have loved to accept, duty calls me elsewhere.
Wednesday 26 December
The crew are finally able to leave the ship. I give two of them a lift into town to change money and then to the shopping centre.
Thursday 27 December
Another visit, one of the ABs is limping badly. He tells me that he has some sort of swelling at top of his leg. I advise him to see a doctor. Luckily the agent is onboard at the same time and I get the chance to talk to him. He is going to take the seafarer to A&E. I give the crew a box of chocolate biscuits, a present from my mother.
Friday 28 December
This evening, an outing to the local shopping Mall in Braehead. The seafarers pile in the AOS vehicle and, joy of joys, I find myself at the New Year sales! The big buys tonight are luggage and mobile phones. Back at the ship, we take some photographs.
Saturday 29 December
Last visit to Red Jasmine as she is scheduled to leave at 12 noon for Rouen and then on to Jeddah. Everyone seems to be busy but I have a chat with the mess boy. I leave news, some prayer cards, some copies of my parish bulletin (in which the crew figure), and copies of the photographs we took last night. As I leave the ship I meet the agent who is boarding in preparation to sailing. He thanks me for my help. The sad events of the last ten days have built good relations with him.
The ship sails at approximately 13:00. She is escorted down-river by only two tugs. Normally three would do that job but, given the loss of Flying Phantom before Christmas, it is perhaps apt. Later in the evening, I am touched to receive a text message from one of the crew, the lad with the bad leg, now better.
Father thank u 4 visiting our ship, 4 d gift u give us, last nyt 4 bringing us 2 d shopping mall, for d pictures hehehe very nice & 4 everything thanks once again.
I sent a reply which was delivered to his phone as the ship sailed south somewhere between Scotland and Belfast.
Thank you for your text. It was both a pleasure and a privilege to meet you. Every blessing for 2008, Fr. Danny.