Police identify area of interest in search for missing fishermen

Police have identified an “area of interest” in the search for two fisherman whose boat went missing off north Lewis in the Western Isles on Tuesday.

Douglas Craigie’s body was found on Wednesday – the day before his 50th birthday.

But Norman Murray, who is 40 and known as Tam, and his 23-year-old crew-mate Murdo Morrison are still missing.

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

However, vessels can still operate in the area.

Specialist police officers are working with partners to search the zone for the missing men and vessel.

Police Scotland said it was believed the fishermen had sailed from Brevaig in Lewis at about 07:30 on Tuesday before travelling to the Port of Ness area to fish.

Their boat, the Kilda, was reported overdue at about 21:20 on Tuesday.

Extensive searches were conducted on Wednesday despite bad weather, with gale-force winds.