THE owners of the cruise ship involved in the Greenock tug tragedy have had to apologise after anchoring their vessel across from the home of one of the men who died.
Hebridean Princess was anchored over the weekend at Millport Bay - just over a week after it was involved in the accident which saw 73-year-old islander Ian Catterson killed when the assisting tug he was a crewman on capsized and sank off Custom House Quay in Greenock.
Neighbours of Mr Catterson told of their outrage and distress at seeing the ship berthed in front of his house 'before he is even buried'.
The ship stayed in the bay until Sunday afternoon, before travelling back up the River Clyde.
Mr Catterson's colleague George Taft, 65, from Greenock, also died when their tug Biter went down on February 24.
Their bodies were recovered around 1.40pm the following day, with an investigation into the circumstances of the incident now ongoing.
Ian's international maritime career resulted in him travelling the globe, working in Oslo, Canada, Japan and Korea as a principal surveyor inspecting ships, boats and oil rigs.
His neighbours have slammed the decision to bring the Hebridean Princess vessel so close to his home so soon after the tragedy.
One said: "People here were horrified.
"It was incredibly insensitive and ill-thought out.
"Ian hasn't even been buried yet, so to see this out the front window was very sore and raw for a lot of people around here."
A spokesperson for the vessel's owner, Hebridean Island Cruises, has apologised for the distress caused.
They said: "We were upset to hear that the Hebridean Princess’ recent visit to Millport Bay has caused unease amongst some of the local community.
"In light of the tragic events involving the tugboat in Greenock and the loss of two crew, this is absolutely the last outcome that we would want, and we would like to apologise for any perceived insensitivity.
"Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of those who perished."
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