Fishing Vessel Sinks off Scotland

A fishing vessel sank off the Western Isles, Scotland, in the early hours of April 9. Four crew members were on board at the time of the incident. One was located and taken to hospital by helicopter, two have been found but are confirmed deceased, and one fisherman remains missing.

The U.K. Coastguard received a distress alert just before 3:45 when the fishing vessels emergency positioning beacon (EPIRB) was activated near Mingulay.

The search involving the Coastguard search and rescue helicopters based at Stornoway and Prestwick, the Barra RNLI lifeboat, local fishing vessels and Police Scotland has been scaled back. 

Mark Rodaway, National Maritime Operations Commander, for U.K. coastguard 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, Police Scotland said, “At this time 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 was on the boat and is still missing,” Garrow said.

Garrow said, “An investigation will be carried out in parallel with the police and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”