Items belonging to a fishing boat that vanished off the north coast of the Isle of Lewis last week have been recovered as the search for the vessel and two missing crew members continues.
Forty-year-old Norman “Tam” Murray and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing after they, alongside their vessel the Kilda, disappeared on October 13.
The body of crewmate Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the sea at around 2.45am on October 14 but the others, and the boat, remain unaccounted for.
Douglas Craigie’s body was recovered from the sea during a search for the crew of fishing vessel Kilda (Handout/PA)
On Thursday, specialist officers from Police Scotland’s marine and dive unit and partners carried out further investigations at an area of interest off the coast of the Port of Ness, near to where the trio went missing.
During the search, they recovered items belonging to the vessel.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) exclusion zone has been in place for divers and vessels in an area between the Butt of Lewis and Port of Ness, but this will be lifted from 11.59pm on Thursday.
Inspector Neil Taylor, local area inspector for the Western Isles, said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident.
Fisherman Norman Murray who remains missing (Handout/PA)
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“Efforts are continuing to work with partners and we are doing everything we can to get answers.
“We would again reiterate that this is a complex operation and we would ask that officers and specialists are given the time and space to carry out their inquiries.
“While the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) exclusion zone will be lifted tonight, we would urge people not to put themselves at any risk.
Murdo Morrison, 23 (Handout/PA)
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“Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm.”
A GoFundMe for the families affected by the event has raised more than £148,000, against a target of £110,000.
Anybody with concerns, or information, is asked to call 101 quoting reference 3575 of October 13.