One dead and two missing after fishing boat disappears off Lewis

A search is continuing off Port of Ness on the Isle of Lewis after a fishing boat went missing with three men aboard. Police Scotland said a man’s body was found at about 02:45 on Wednesday; the other two crew members and the boat remained unaccounted for. [1]

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday, when the boat was overdue from Lewis. Stornoway’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 21:42, and Lochinver’s lifeboat later joined the operation. A plane, two helicopters, lifeboats, coastguard teams and local volunteers were involved in searches around north Lewis. [1]

Police said extensive searches were continuing and urged the public not to conduct their own searches because of challenging conditions. The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for parts of the Highlands and Western Isles, with gusts potentially reaching 70mph (113km/h) in places. [1]

Kenneth Macleod, convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, described it as “a very dark day” for Ness and Lewis. Police said the families of the three men were receiving specialist support. [1]