Police make fresh discovery in search for missing fishing boat that vanished off Scottish coast

Items belonging to a fishing vessel that vanished off the northern coast of the Isle of Lewis last week have been retrieved as the search for the boat and two missing crew members continues.

Norman "Tam" Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing after disappearing along with their boat, the Kilda, on 13 October.

The body of crewmate Douglas Craigie, 49, was retrieved from the sea at around 2.45am on 14 October, but the other two men and the boat are still unaccounted for.

Specialist officers from Police Scotland’s marine and dive unit, working with partners, conducted further searches on Thursday at an area of interest off the Port of Ness coast, close to where the men vanished. Items belonging to the vessel were recovered during the search.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) exclusion zone has been in place for divers and vessels in an area between the Butt of Lewis and Port of Ness, but this will be lifted from 11.59pm on Thursday.

Inspector Neil Taylor, local area inspector for the Western Isles, said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“Efforts are continuing to work with partners and we are doing everything we can to get answers.

“We would again reiterate that this is a complex operation and we would ask that officers and specialists are given the time and space to carry out their inquiries.

“While the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) exclusion zone will be lifted tonight, we would urge people not to put themselves at any risk.

“Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm.”

A GoFundMe for the families affected by the event has raised more than £148,000, against a target of £110,000.

Anybody with concerns, or information, is asked to call 101 quoting reference 3575 of October 13.