By Margaret Maccoll
Boreen Point fisherman Errol “Jimmy“ Lindsay is not going to let the torching of his boat two weeks ago stop him earning a living nor prevent him from continuing to do the work he’s done for almost 50 years.
Jimmy’s fishing trawler along with that of fellow fisherman John Clarke were targeted by arsonists in the early hours on June 22 with both boats burnt to the water line while others anchored beside were left untouched.
Jimmy has begun building a new boat, telling his wife Julie, “It’s not going to beat me“.
With the hull already completed and fibreglassed outside he hopes to have it completed and be back on the water in another week.
Julie said the new build would set them back about $20,000 which didn’t account for loss of income from three weeks without work. She said with insurance for a commercial boat costing about $6000 a year it was an expense considered too much and to be a target of arson at Boreen Point wasn’t something they expected.
“They’re just two old gentlemen who make a bit of a living. The point is with a lot of retired people, they give up work and with the stress and worry of being able to earn a living without work they die.“
“I want to keep working until I can’t work,“ Jimmy told Julie.
John Clarke has a second boat and after a break for a couple of weeks to spend school holidays with his grandchildren he also intends to be back fishing.
The community has rallied to help the fishermen with offers to help with the building and the setting up of a gofundme page to raise money to assist with expenses.
She said over the past 18 months Jimmy’s boat had been the target of petty incidences including damage to the motors which they reported to the police.
“They never caught who was doing it,“ Julie said.
The fire has made them very concerned for their safety.
“We can’t allow ourselves to be complacent,“ Julie said. “We have to be alert 24/7. When we put another boat in that’s when it’ll be a concern.
“All we can do is keep a positive attitude.“
Julie said it was the second devastating blow for the family this year.
After an operation to repair a hernia earlier in the year Jimmy continued to feel unwell and was losing weight. Follow up tests led to a diagnosis of stomach cancer and he is now awaiting treatment.
“We’ve just got to keep going,“ Julie said.
Police are investigating the suspicious boat fires and following several lines of inquiry.
Anyone with information should contact Noosa Police on 5440 8111 or Policelink on 131 444.
To assist the fisherman visit www.gofundme.com/f/local-fishermen039s-boats-destroyed-by-arson
