Two dead, one missing after crab boat sinks in ‘calm’ seas
Crew of four scrambled into life raft then pair made bid to swim to safety
TWO men have been found dead after a fishing boat with a crew of four sank off the Western Isles.
Another man was still missing last night, while a fourth was being treated in the Western Isles Hospital at Stornoway.
Police and maritime experts have launched an investigation into the incident, which is understood to have happened in calm waters just before 3.45am.
The Coastguard picked up a distress signal from the Stornoway-registered Louisa, locating its emergency positioning beacon near the island of Mingulay.
Search teams including helicopters from Stornoway and Prestwick, the Barra RNLI lifeboat, local fishing boats and Police Scotland were scrambled to the scene.
Finlay Macleod, superintendent at the Fisherman’s Mission in Stornoway, said all four of the men made it to the life raft.
He added: ‘They were all being supported by the life raft as the vessel sank but the water was too cold and two crew members reached the conclusion that if they had stayed with the life raft, as they are taught to do, then hypothermia would have set in.
‘They saw the shore and they thought they could try for it. Sadly, only one reached it. Everybody’s really traumatised. It’s an absolute tragedy.
‘I’ve been in touch with all the families concerned in Lewis and Harris. My colleague in Scrabster has been in contact with the family in Thurso of the crewman who didn’t survive.’
The stricken vessel was a 2009 crabber, owned by brothers Murdo and Duncan Kennedy from South Lochs on Lewis.
Following the discovery of the bodies, an air and sea search for the remaining missing man was scaled back and the Barra lifeboat stood down shortly before 6.30pm.
Mark Rodaway, UK Coastguard national maritime operations commander, said: ‘Despite an intensive search including the helicopters, lifeboat and other fishing vessels in the area, we have been unable to locate the missing fisherman.’
Chief Inspector Alastair Garrow of Police Scotland said: ‘We can confirm that the bodies of two men have been recovered. A third man was rescued and was taken to hospital at Stornoway. He is not seriously injured.
‘A fourth man is still missing. Next of kin have been informed. This has been a tragic incident which will impact on the local community. Our thoughts are with the families affected.’
Police Scotland and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch will carry out a joint investigation and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Yesterday, a harbour worker at Stornoway said: ‘When the fishermen here heard the news, they were all shocked. It is just tragic.
‘The fact it was a fairly new boat too makes it even more shocking.’
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said the vessel went down in relatively calm weather conditions. Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said: ‘The community is in deep shock. It appears to be a terrible tragedy which will be felt throughout the isles and beyond.’
Meanwhile, tributes to the crew have been posted online.
Clyde Fisherman’s Association (CFA) wrote: ‘On behalf of all of the CFA, our thoughts are with the crew, family & friends of the Louisa. RIP to those brave men who lost their lives.