Police found a body after an overdue fishing boat off Lewis triggered a search across the Outer Hebrides. Two men from the three onboard were still unaccounted for as the search continued around Port of Ness on Wednesday.
The alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday when the boat failed to return from Lewis. Stornoway's all-weather lifeboat launched at 21:42, and Lochinver RNLI's all-weather lifeboat joined a short time later.
Port of Ness search
A plane, two helicopters, two lifeboats and volunteers searched off the Port of Ness in north Lewis. Coastguard helicopters from Stornoway in Lewis and Shetland, coastguard teams and local boats also joined the effort. Police Scotland said the man's body was found at about 02:45.
Ross McCartney, the local area commander for the Western Isles, said in a Police Scotland statement that “considerable efforts are ongoing” to locate the vessel and the two remaining unaccounted for crew members. He said, “We know that the local community will be keen to help in any way they can.”
Kenneth Macleod in Lewis
Kenneth Macleod, a local councillor and convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, told Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme: “It is a very dark day for the community of Ness and the community of Lewis in general.” He added: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families affected.”
He also said: “We cannot comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at the moment.” Families of the three men were being provided with specialist support as the search continued into Wednesday morning.
Bad weather off Lewis
Police warned the public not to make their own searches because of bad weather. McCartney said: “However, conditions are very challenging and I would urge people not to put themselves at any risk.” He added: “Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm.”
The body found on Wednesday changed the search from a missing-boat operation to a recovery effort with two men still missing. For families and the community in Ness, the immediate focus stays on the vessel and the two crew members still unaccounted for.
