The Rescue of the Ben Gulvain

The Rescue of the Ben Gulvain

This selection of photographs was kindly lent to Local Studies by member of staff Alison from Airyhall Library. The pictures, taken by her father Leslie Murray, show the helicopter rescue of the stranded crew of Aberdeen trawler Ben Gulvain which took place on 29th January 1976.

The 443-ton boat, with a crew of 17, was owned by Richard Irvin and Sons and was one of Aberdeen's top earning trawlers. It encountered engine trouble shortly after leaving Aberdeen harbour on its way to the White Sea. The heavy seas and gale force winds drove the boat ashore near Balgownie Golf Course, Bridge of Don.

Despite being only 200 yards from shore the crew did not risk either wading through the sea or taking to the lifeboats due to concern of being swept away. Only two years prior to this event four men had died trying to reach the shore one mile north at Murcar in a similar incident when the Polish trawler Nurzec ran aground.

Attempts to fire a line over the Ben Gulvain failed due to the fierce winds and the shallow water made bringing a lifeboat up close impossible. British Airways S.61 rescue helicopter G-ATBY, piloted by Dave Humble, was eventually called out and airlifted all of the 17 crew to safety in a text book operation.

Further details on the incident can be read in 'Shipwrecks of North East Scotland 1444-1990' by David M. Ferguson and The Press and Journal's front page coverage from 30th January 1976. Both are available at Aberdeen Local Studies in the Central Library.

Yes