Police divers search for two missing fishermen off Isle of Lewis

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 20:02 · Archive

Specialist police divers will search for two missing fishermen and their vessel off the Isle of Lewis early next week.

The Kilda disappeared on Tuesday somewhere near the Port of Ness off the north coast of the Isle of Lewis. The body of Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the sea at approximately 2.45am on Wednesday. His crewmates Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain unaccounted for and are being treated as missing persons. The fishing vessel itself has also yet to be discovered.

The RNLI despatched its all-weather Lochinver lifeboat at 9.42pm on Tuesday after the boat failed to return. Police Scotland were notified of its disappearance at 11.35pm. HM Coastguard confirmed that an aircraft, two helicopters, six rescue teams and a local vessel were involved in the initial search operation. The response was stood down on Thursday pending any new information.

Police Scotland announced on Friday that the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has put an exclusion zone in place for divers between the Butt of Lewis and Port of Ness. Specialist officers from Police Scotland's Dive and Marine Unit will conduct searches in the area early next week. Extensive enquiries remain ongoing to locate the two missing men and the vessel. Police understand the Kilda departed the Brevaig area in the west of the island at approximately 7.30am on Tuesday before heading to Port of Ness to carry out work.

How it is being reported

• Police divers to search for missing fishermen and fishing boat off Isle of LewisThe Kilda vanished on Tuesday somewhere near the Port of Ness off the north coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer HebridesDaily Record · 16 Oct, 19:33
• Specialist police divers called in to search for missing fishermenSPECIALIST police dive units will be carrying out searches for two missing men and a missing fishing vessel off the coast of the Isle of Lewis early next week.The National · 16 Oct, 18:59

In this story: Douglas Craigie · Norman Murray · Murdo Morrison · Isle of Lewis · Police Scotland · HM Coastguard

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