Two sites have been identified for further investigation in the search for the fishing boat Kilda off the north of the Isle of Lewis, nearly three weeks after it disappeared with three men on board.
The Kilda failed to reach port on 13 October, and the body of crew member Douglas Craigie was found by search teams the following day. The other two men on board, Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison, remain unaccounted for.
A survey carried out at the weekend by the Northern Lighthouse Board vessel NLV Pharos, which has hydrographic and wreck survey equipment, covered an area east of the Butt of Lewis. Further work will be done in the two identified areas as part of an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), which has also put in place an exclusion zone: vessels cannot anchor unless in an emergency, and fishing by nets, trawls or lines and any unsanctioned diving operations are not permitted while the investigation continues.
Police Scotland Inspector Neil Taylor said their thoughts remained with everyone affected by the incident. “It is imperative we get answers for everyone involved and please be assured our efforts are continuing,” he said. He added that they were grateful for the specialist work of the NLV Pharos over the weekend and urged people not to put themselves at risk or attempt searches in areas that put them at risk of harm.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The identification of two sites takes the search into a formal investigation phase, with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch set to examine the areas to establish what happened to the Kilda.
- The exclusion zone bans net, trawl and line fishing and unsanctioned diving east of the Butt of Lewis while the investigation continues.
- Two families are still waiting for answers: Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison remain unaccounted for.
Background
The Kilda, a fishing boat, disappeared after it failed to reach port on 13 October while fishing off the north coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The body of one of the three crew members was found the following day. The weekend survey was carried out by the Northern Lighthouse Board vessel NLV Pharos, which carries hydrographic and wreck survey equipment, in an area east of the Butt of Lewis.
What to Watch
- The MAIB's next phase of investigation in the two identified sites.
- Whether the remaining two crew members, Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison, are located.
- How long the exclusion zone east of the Butt of Lewis remains in force.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTwo sites of interest have been identified for further investigation in the search for the missing fishing boat off the north of Lewis.BBC Scotland: “Two sites have been identified for further investigation in the search for a missing fishing boat off the north of the Isle of Lewis.”
- SupportedOne of the three crew members is confirmed dead.BBC Scotland: “The body of crew member Douglas Craigie was found by search teams the day after the Kilda failed to port”
- SupportedThe other two crew members remain missing after the boat disappeared.BBC Scotland: “Three men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared on the 13th of October. The body of crew member Douglas Craigie was found by search teams the day after the Kilda failed to port but two other men - Norman Murray and Murdo Morrison - remain unaccounted for.”
- Partly supportedThe two sites were identified nearly three weeks after the boat disappeared.BBC Scotland: “Published 2 hours ago ... Three men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared on the 13th of October.”
- SupportedThe Kilda failed to reach port on 13 October.BBC Scotland: “Three men were on board the Kilda when it disappeared on the 13th of October. The body of crew member Douglas Craigie was found by search teams the day after the Kilda failed to port”
- SupportedA weekend survey by the Northern Lighthouse Board vessel NLV Pharos covered an area east of the Butt of Lewis.BBC Scotland: “A survey was carried out at the weekend by the Northern Lighthouse Board vessel NLV Pharos in an area east of the Butt of Lewis.”
- SupportedThe NLV Pharos has hydrographic and wreck survey equipment.BBC Scotland: “The vessel has hydrographic and wreck survey equipment.”
- SupportedFurther work in the two areas will be part of an MAIB investigation.BBC Scotland: “Further work is to be done in two areas as part of an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).”
- SupportedThe MAIB has put an exclusion zone in place restricting anchoring, fishing with nets, trawls or lines, and unsanctioned diving while the investigation continues.BBC Scotland: “It has also put in place an exclusion zone which means vessels cannot anchor unless it is an emergency. Fishing by nets, trawls or lines and any unsanctioned diving operations are also not permitted while the investigation continues.”
- SupportedPolice Scotland Inspector Neil Taylor said their thoughts remained with everyone affected by the incident.BBC Scotland: “Police Scotland Inspector Neil Taylor said their thoughts remained with everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
- SupportedInspector Neil Taylor said, “It is imperative we get answers for everyone involved and please be assured our efforts are continuing.”BBC Scotland: “He added: "It is imperative we get answers for everyone involved and please be assured our efforts are continuing.”
- SupportedInspector Neil Taylor urged people not to put themselves at risk or attempt searches in areas that put them at risk of harm.BBC Scotland: “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.”