David Ingram: Margaret River boat worker remembered as ‘legend of a bloke’

The crew member who went overboard on a vessel off the coast of Dampier last week has been remembered as a “legend of a bloke” who had a beautiful mix of tenacity, big goals and social justice. Margaret River man David Ingram worked on board the Maersk Mover and was reported missing at 8.15am on Friday while the vessel was in transit back to the Port of Dampier. WA police confirmed the search and rescue was suspended on Sunday. Friend and fellow adventurer Kieren McCabe met Mr Ingram in Dunsborough and said he had an optimistic outlook in life. “Ultimately, I think he was quite the purest in a lot of ways and he usually saw the positive in the situation and in people as well,” he said. “He’s a legend of a bloke... I really admired Dave, he had a beautiful mix of tenacity, great big goals and social justice. “I really looked up to this man and he’s got a wonderful warrior spirit.” Tui Pahuru met Mr Ingram in 2013 in Dunsborough and said their friendship was of honesty, loyalty, kindness and a huge amount of wit mixed with dry, dark humour. “He is an incredibly caring, thoughtful, deep, creative, passionate human... A friend who is no fuss, no drama but would be there in a heartbeat if you needed him to,” he said. “Always dressed like a 70’s rockstar with little to no effort. Always busy tinkering or making something, be it a stage set design, speargun, beehives, the man could literally do anything. “He has impacted people all around the world with his cheeky grin and if this is the final chapter for David Ingram and his aliases Benjamin Safari and Captain Benjamin Blackert, I wouldn’t be alone in feeling so privileged that I had such a remarkable man play his part in my own life story.” Mr Ingram’s family did not wish to comment at this time. In a statement posted on their Facebook page, Maritime Union of Australia WA branch secretary Will Tracey said the support provided by all parties was incredible. “Given the harsh border closures currently in place, any financial support will assist the Ingram family immensely,” he said. “David’s family are very touched by the generosity and support coming to them from the MUA and our broader membership.” MUA will now be collecting donations to assist in getting Mr Ingram’s family to WA and a GoFundMe page has been set up. Maersk Supply Service managing director David Kearney said they have offered their full support to the family. “It is a tragic situation for the family... My warmest thoughts go to them,” he said. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated the search with its Perth-based Challenger rescue aircraft about 70km west of Dampier but suspended their search midday on Saturday. Situated off the North West Shelf and close to Chevron’s Barrow Island facilities, the area is a hotspot for oil and gas vessel activity. It is also close to iron ore ports to the west at Dampier and Cape Preston to the south.