Police Scotland said an empty life raft from the missing fishing boat Kilda had washed up in Shetland, about 200 miles north-east of where the vessel sank. One crew member's body was found the day after the disappearance; two others remain unaccounted for.
The life raft came ashore at West Burrafirth, about 200 miles (320 km) north-east of the area where the Kilda sank. The vessel was last known to be operating close to the Port of Ness, north of the Isle of Lewis. Police Scotland Insp Neil Taylor said the raft had been confirmed as belonging to the vessel.
The Kilda disappeared north of Lewis on 13 October with three men on board. Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain unaccounted for.
Taylor said police would "continue to work with partners, including the MAIB, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as well as local maritime experts, to locate the vessel and the two missing men." He added: "Please be assured we are doing all we can and we are grateful for the support of all of our partners. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident."
No trace of the fishing boat was found at two sites experts had identified for further investigation north of the Isle of Lewis. The Northern Lighthouse Board vessel NLV Pharos had identified the sites.
Duncan Macinnes, secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, described the sinking as "just an unimaginable tragedy" that had a devastating impact locally. He told BBC Scotland: "It is just an unimaginable tragedy that happened just over a week ago and we have heartfelt sorrow for the grieving families who have suffered such loss and we pray that Tam and Murdo will be found." He thanked rescue services and said the incident was "one of the worst fishing tragedies that we have experienced in the Western Isles in a generation."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The loss of the Kilda is the most serious fishing tragedy in the Western Isles in a generation, devastating a close-knit community that relies on the industry.
- The discovery of the life raft provides a physical clue, but the two missing men and the vessel itself remain unlocated, prolonging uncertainty for families.
- The incident raises questions about safety and emergency response in remote, storm-prone waters.
Background
The Kilda, a fishing boat, disappeared north of the Isle of Lewis on 13 October 2026 with three crew on board. Douglas Craigie's body was found the next day. Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison are still missing. Search efforts have not located the vessel at two sites surveyed by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
Key Perspectives
Police Scotland: Confirms the life raft belongs to the Kilda and says it continues to work with partners to locate the vessel and the missing men, expressing gratitude for support and thoughts for those affected.
Western Isles Fishermen's Association: Describes the incident as an unimaginable tragedy and the worst fishing tragedy in the Western Isles in a generation, thanking rescue services and expressing sorrow for the families.
What to Watch
- Further search operations coordinated by the MAIB and Coastguard, especially in light of the life raft's location.
- The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's eventual findings on what caused the sinking.
- Community response and any calls for improved safety measures in the fishing industry.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAn empty life raft from the missing fishing boat Kilda washed up in Shetland.BBC Scotland: “An empty life raft from the missing fishing boat Kilda has washed up 200 miles away in Shetland.”
- Partly supportedThe raft washed up about 200 miles north-east of where the vessel sank.BBC Scotland: “Police Scotland said the life raft washed ashore at West Burrafirth, about 200 miles (320km) north-east of the area where the Kilda sank.”
- SupportedTwo crew members remain missing after the October incident north of Lewis.BBC Scotland: “Three men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared north of Lewis on 13 October. The body of crew member Douglas Craigie, 49, was found by search teams the following day. Two other men - Norman Murray, 40, and 23-year-old crew-mate Murdo Morrison - remain unaccounted for.”
- SupportedOne crew member’s body was found the day after the disappearance.BBC Scotland: “The body of crew member Douglas Craigie, 49, was found by search teams the following day.”
- SupportedThe Kilda disappeared north of Lewis on 13 October with three men on board.BBC Scotland: “Three men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared north of Lewis on 13 October.”
- SupportedPolice Scotland Insp Neil Taylor said the raft was confirmed as belonging to the Kilda.BBC Scotland: “Insp Neil Taylor, from Police Scotland, said: "The life raft has been confirmed as belonging to the Kilda."”
- SupportedTaylor said police would continue working with partners to locate the vessel and the two missing men.BBC Scotland: “"We will continue to work with partners, including the MAIB, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as well as local maritime experts, to locate the vessel and the two missing men."”
- SupportedNo trace of the fishing boat was found at two sites experts had identified for further investigation north of Lewis.BBC Scotland: “No trace of the fishing boat was found at two sites experts had identified for further investigation north of the Isle of Lewis.”
- SupportedMacinnes said the sinking was “just an unimaginable tragedy” with a devastating local impact.BBC Scotland: “Speaking at the time of the sinking, Duncan Macinnes, secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, said the incident has had a devastating impact in the local community. He told BBC Scotland: "It is just an unimaginable tragedy”
- SupportedMacinnes said it was one of the worst fishing tragedies experienced in the Western Isles in a generation.BBC Scotland: “"With a tragedy like this which is one of the worst fishing tragedies that we have experienced in the Western Isles in a generation, it is going to leave broken hearts."”