One man dead and two missing amid major search for fishing boat

The body of one man has been recovered amid a major search for a missing fishing boat which failed to dock in the Outer Hebrides.

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, two helicopters and two RNLI teams, as well as a local vessel, joined the search.

At 9.40am on Wednesday, Police Scotland said the body of one of the men had been recovered.

Formal identification is yet to take place but the next of kin of the men are aware, officers said.

The RNLI lifeboat from Lochinver was launched at around midnight on Tuesday and could be seen carrying out searches near the Butt of Lewis.

The lifeboat has since begun making its way back to the station.

A Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard received a report at around 9.20pm yesterday (October 13) of a fishing vessel with three people on board that was overdue from Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

“A coastguard aeroplane, two coastguard helicopters, six coastguard rescue teams, two RNLI lifeboats, a local vessel and Police Scotland are all involved in the search.”

A police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are in attendance following a report of a missing fishing vessel and three men onboard off the coast of Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis, which was reported to police around 11.35pm on Tuesday, October 13.

“The body of one of the men has been recovered, however formal identification is yet to take place.

“The next of kin of the men are aware and are being supported by officers.

“Extensive searches, assisted by HM Coastguard and RNLI, are ongoing.”

The search comes as the Met Office forecasts strong winds and adverse weather across much of Western Scotland and the Outer Hebrides throughout Wednesday.