Two fishermen still missing off Isle of Lewis after searches

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 16:15 · Archive

Two crewmen remain missing after their fishing boat disappeared off the Isle of Lewis on 13 October; one crew member's body was recovered.

Two crewmen remain unaccounted for after the FV Kilda disappeared off the north coast of the Isle of Lewis on 13 October. Norman Murray, 40, known as Tam, and Murdo Morrison, 23, were aboard the boat when it went missing near the Port of Ness. The body of their crewmate Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the water the following day.

Specialist teams completed an examination of two underwater sites identified as areas of interest east of the Butt of Lewis. The sites were searched using specialist equipment provided by fish farm company MOWI, working alongside the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). Police Scotland confirmed that nothing relating to the missing vessel was identified in these searches, and a maritime exclusion zone in the area has now been lifted.

The National reports that a life raft from the Kilda has been recovered off the coast of Shetland, washing up on the shore of West Burrafirth. Police clarified that while the life raft had been found, the vessel itself has yet to be recovered.

Inspector Neil Taylor of Police Scotland said: 'Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident. We continue to work with partners, including the MAIB, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and local maritime experts to locate the Kilda and the two missing men.' The MAIB's preliminary assessment into the loss of the fishing vessel is continuing.

The tragedy has had a significant impact on the island's fishing community. The Western Isles Fishermen's Association launched a fundraiser to support the families of the men, with a GoFundMe raising more than £249,000.

How it is being reported

• Empty life raft from missing fishing boat Kilda washes up in ShetlandThe Kilda has been missing since sinking off Lewis last month with three men on board.BBC Scotland · 5 Nov, 16:58
• Life raft found near Shetland in search for missing fishermen off Isle of LewisThe item belonging to the FV Kilda vessel was recovered after it washed up at West Burrafirth on Thursday, November 5.Daily Record · 5 Nov, 16:07
• Police issue statement as major breakthrough made in search for missing fishermenA MAJOR breakthrough has been made in the ongoing search for two missing fishermen and their vessel which disappeared off the Isle of Lewis more than a fortnight ago.The National · 5 Nov, 15:57
• No trace of missing fishing boat found in search off LewisThree men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared on 13 October.BBC Scotland · 4 Nov, 18:41
• Two fishermen still missing off Isle of Lewis as 'nothing found' in latest searchSpecialist teams have completed examinations of two underwater sites off the Isle of Lewis but found no trace of the missing FV Kilda or its two crewmen, as the search continues.Daily Record · 4 Nov, 18:18

In this story: Norman Murray · Murdo Morrison · Douglas Craigie · FV Kilda · Isle of Lewis · Police Scotland · Marine Accident Investigation Branch · Northern Lighthouse Board

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log