Those were the thoughts of Mike Mosley and Jack Livingstone as they left Methil Harbour at 7.30am on Saturday.

"At 9.15a.m. I said to Jack let's head back in, " said Mr Mosley.

" The other boat's gone back in so they probably know something we don't."

They fished a little longer at Jack's request but, heading home, choppy water began to lap into the back of the boat.

"Jack – who was a heavy guy – came to the back of the boat to help me pump the water out and we just sank," said Mr Mosley.

Neither man was wearing a lifejacket and Mr Livingstone started to panic.

"I tried to calm him," said Mr Mosley. "I told him to hang on to a creel bouy while I got help."

Trying to reach harbour, he found himself dragged towards the harbour wall.

Swimming against strong tides he re-routed towards the power station where he spotted a large bouy.

"It was unbelievably cold," he added. "I hung on for about half an hour then realised that for Jack's sake, and my family's sake I would have to go for it.

"I got to Leven beach and as soon as my feet touched the sand I cried."

After Mr Mosley's epic swim to shore, Forth Coastguard immediately co-ordinated a rescue operation, including scrambling a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

Leanne Fisher, one of the crew members from Kinghorn RNLI said: "We were paged around 1pm to carry out a search just off Methil Power Station.

"The RNLI lifeboat at Anstruther and several other fishing vessels and yachts were also involved in the search for the missing crewman.

"We carried out sweeps which were co-ordinated by the Coastguard, who were able to predict the way a person would drift in the wind and tide.

"Rescue Helicopter 131 from RAF Boulmer was also involved in searching, along with Coastguard search teams along the shore."

Ms Fisher added that about 1.40pm one of the boats involved, 'Audacity', reported seeing an object in the water that was confirmed as the casualty and it set off smoke at the location.

"We were asked to attend and assist in recovering the casualty along with Anstruther ALB, but the RAF helicopter was able to airlift the casualty directly from the sea to the hospital," she added.
"We were then stood down."

Mr Livingstone was rushed to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, where, despite the efforts of medical staff, he died a short time later.

"We all hoped the man would be okay, but it is difficult to survive for so long in such conditions," said Ms Fisher.

"It was a silent return to station, as it always is, when you feel you have been unable to save a life."

Mr Mosley was treated for mild hypothermia and exhaustion then released from hospital later that same day.

Speaking yesterday (Tuesday) morning, he admitted it was a mistake not to wear lifejackets, adding: "I was told the only reason I had survived was because I had worn a woolly hat.

"Every now and again I break into tears and wonder how lucky I've been."

A good man and a good friend

JACK Livingstone, a painter and decorator to trade, was born and raised in the area, attending Denbeath Primary and Braehead Secondary schools.

An avid darts fan, he played for the Auld Hoose in Buckhaven, enjoyed sport on TV and the occasional flutter on the horses and the football.

Had only taken up fishing in the past few weeks, buying the boat with Mike Mosley.

He was the eldest son of four boys and is survived by wife Jessica and a grown-up daughter, Susan, from a previous marriage.

His mother Elizabeth (Elma) Livingstone said: "Jack will be sorely missed by us all.

Close friend Colin Scott said: "He was a really good, hard working man and very jovial; he had a great sense of humour and would do anything for a friend."

"We did a lot of work together over the years and anytime I needed him on the spur of the moment it was never an issue.

"My phone has not stopped ringing since we learned of his death."

Lessons to be learned

A FATHER and son who were both involved in Saturday's rescue mission warn hard lessons must now be learned from the tragedy.

Rab Maxwell and his son, Robert, who run Buckhaven Shellfish Supplies, are calling on authorities to bring back search and rescue helicopters to RAF Leuchars.

They were ditched in a cost-cutting exercise last year.

"It's tragedy when anyone is lost at sea, "said Mr Maxwell, who offered his condolences to Mr Livingstone's family.

"There's someone lost every eight days in UK waters which shows just how dangerous it is."

"A helicopter from Leuchars would have taken five minutes to get to Leven – that one (from Northumberland] delayed the rescue by 30 minutes and fishermen are up in arms about it.

"That time can make all the difference."

Mr Maxwell, who has had 25 years' experience at sea, stressed accidents were waiting to happen as a result of more people buying leisure boats.

"There's been so many close calls lately and the professional guys are concerned," he explained.

"Three commercial fishermen decided not to go out to sea that day, yet these men, who had only owned a small boat for a few weeks, did."

"People have this perception that it's August and the water will be flat and calm but then it changes.

"They should never have gone out. Much bigger boats were being thrown about."

Mr Maxwell is urging non-professional sailors in Levenmouth to undertake basic seamanship courses in navigation and safety through the MCA.

Group lessons are being organised at Buckhaven Shellfish's premises in Methil - for more information contact the firm on 07984029695.