Dornie woman speaks passionately of fight to protect the living following tragic death of her partner at Lochalsh fish farm as International Workers' Memorial Day marked at poignant Highland ceremony
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THE partner of a fish farm worker who died while at work spoke movingly about her fight for justice during a ceremony in Inverness.
Catriona Lockhart, of Dornie, recalled the fateful day Clive Hendry drowned after being crushed between two boats when she addressed a gathering to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.
Pledging to "fight like hell" to protect the living, she called for marine laws to be tightened and for big companies to put people's lives before profits.
The event, at the workers' memorial at Friars Shott overlooking the River Ness, honoured those who have died at work, or from work-related injury and diseases.
Ms Lockhart outlined how Mr Hendry - her partner of 28 years - was the experienced and well-respected assistant manager at a fish farm on the Ardintoul site on Loch Alsh.
On the day of the accident in February 2020, he was crushed between a moving boat and a barge
A colleague grabbed hold of the back of Mr Hendry's lifejacket, but he slipped out of the jacket and into the sea.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said his employer Mowi Scotland did not have an effective marine safety management system in place.
The company said it had immediately implemented the actions required of it.
Addressing the International Workers' Memorial Day gathering, Ms Lockhart said: "It haunts me that Clive could have been saved if marine laws were tightened and big companies put their staff lives first before profits.
"I am here today to remember the dead and to fight like hell for the living.
"On the 18th February my life ended as my everything walked out our kitchen door and off to his work at his beloved fish farm."
She continued: "I am only in my third year of my fight for justice and a change in the work place for my Clive.I would never have survived without the support and endless help from Scottish Hazards. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
"They fight for the dead and the living.I don't want anyone else to go through this living hell."
Ms Lockhart also placed a wreath at the memorial in honour of Mr Hendry.
The ceremony was organised by Inverness and District Trades Union Council.
It was attended by trade unionists, politicians, including Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, and members of the public.
Wreaths and flowers were placed by individuals and on behalf of organisations including the trades union council, Unite, the National Union of Journalists and Park Community Council.
More pictures inside this week's edition of the Ross-shire Journal.
