Police dive units to resume search for crew and missing fishing boat off Lewis

Specialist police dive units will resume searches early next week for two missing men who were aboard a fishing vessel which disappeared off the coast of the Outer Hebrides.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has put an exclusion zone in place for divers in an area between the Butt of Lewis and the Port of Ness.

His two crewmates, 40-year-old Norman Murray, who is known as Tam, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain unaccounted for. They are being treated as missing people.

Search and rescue teams were deployed to an area north of the Isle of Lewis, following reports that a vessel carrying three people failed to make port on Tuesday night.

A HM Coastguard plane from Humberside and another from Prestwick, two helicopters, six Coastguard teams and two RNLI teams, as well as a local vessel, had been searching the area known as the Butt of Lewis, near Port of Ness.

However, progress in locating the two missing crewmen and the vessel was hindered by adverse weather conditions. Searches resumed on Thursday morning but were suspended as of 7.30pm pending new information.

Specialist officers from Police Scotland’s Dive and Marine Unit will now be carrying out searches in the area early next week and extensive inquiries remain ongoing to trace the men and the vessel.

Chief Inspector Ross McCartney, local area commander for the Western Isles, said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“We have a team of officers dedicated to this operation who are carrying out extensive work to trace the two men who remain unaccounted for.

“We will also be utilising officers from our Dive and Marine Unit early next week. We would continue to ask that the privacy of the families are respected at this difficult time.

“MAIB have put an exclusion zone in place for divers in the area where searches have been carried out. However, vessels can still operate in this area.

“We know the local community are keen to help in any way they can. However, we urge people not to put themselves at any risk. Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm.

“Instead, if you believe you may have any information which could assist emergency services then please call 101 quoting reference 3575 of October 13.

“A police presence continues in the Port of Ness area and if you have any concerns or information then I would urge you to speak to one of our officers.”

A minute’s silence was held at Royal National Mod in Glasgow on Thursday morning.

In a statement, Mod organisers said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy on the Isle of Lewis.

“As a mark of respect, a one-minute silence will be observed at 9am on Thursday ahead of the day’s competitions starting.”

Police Scotland confirmed the body of Mr Craigie was recovered at 2.45am on Wednesday morning.

He was aboard the UK-registered fishing vessel Kilda along with his crewmates Mr Murray and Mr Morrison.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch spokesperson said: “The MAIB has deployed a team of inspectors to conduct a preliminary assessment into the loss of the UK registered fishing vessel Kilda near the Isle of Lewis.

“A decision on whether an investigation will be carried out will be taken once the evidence gathered during the preliminary assessment has been reviewed.”

‘Very dark day’

Kenneth Macleod, convenor of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “It is a very dark day for the communities affected by this tragedy.

“We can’t even begin to comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at this moment.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them. It is not easy for the teams out searching, with very strong gusts of wind and heavy rain.

“We are very grateful for all those out searching in very challenging weather conditions.”

First Minister John Swinney previously posted about the situation on X, saying: “This is deeply distressing news.

“My heart goes out to the families of the three fishermen in Ness, and the communities on the Isle of Lewis.”