Police identify new ‘area of interest’ in search for missing fishing boat crew

An “area of interest” has been identified in the search for two missing men and a fishing vessel off the coast of the Isle of Lewis.

The Kilda vanished on Tuesday near Port of Ness, on the north coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

The body of Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the sea at about 2.45am on Wednesday, but his crewmates Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, are yet to be found.

Mr Murray and Mr Morrison remain unaccounted for and are being treated as missing, Police Scotland said.

The fishing vessel is also yet to be found.

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

Specialist officers are working to investigate an “area of interest” off Port of Ness, police said in an update on Saturday.

The RNLI sent its all-weather Lochinver lifeboat out at 9.42pm on Tuesday after the boat failed to return, and Police Scotland were notified of its disappearance at 11.35pm.

HM Coastguard said an aircraft, two helicopters, six rescue teams and a local vessel were involved in the search.

It is understood by police that the Kilda left the Brevaig area in the west of the island at about 7.30am on Tuesday, before travelling to the Port of Ness area to work.

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

“We are carrying out extensive work with our partners to further investigate the specific area in as safe a manner as possible.

“We understand how distressing and difficult this time will be for the families and we would ask that their privacy is respected.”

Mr McCartney said the exclusion zone remains in place for divers in the area where searches have been carried out but that vessels can still operate.

He urged the local community not to put themselves at risk by attempting to carry out searches in potentially unsafe areas.

He asked anyone with information to call 101 quoting reference 3575 of 13 October.