The search for two missing fishermen off the Isle of Lewis has been stood down, while tributes have been paid to their crewmate whose body was recovered near Port of Ness.
Norman Murray, 40, known as Tam, and Murdo Morrison, 23, were on board the fishing vessel FV Kilda when it failed to return to port on Tuesday evening. The boat and the two men have not been found.
HM Coastguard said on Thursday night that its response had ended pending any new information, following an extensive search operation.
Douglas Craigie, 49, the skipper, was found in the early hours of Wednesday near Port of Ness on the north coast of Lewis. He died only days before his 50th birthday, which would have been on Thursday.
Search crews faced gales of up to 70mph and waves reaching 10ft on Wednesday, before conditions became calmer the following day. Aircraft were deployed within minutes of the alarm being raised to search the waters around the Butt of Lewis.
All three men were from Lewis, where the tragedy has left the close-knit island community in shock.
One friend described Mr Craigie on social media as a “legend” and wrote: “Thoughts are with all the families in these difficult hours. The sea has no mercy at times. Leave some lobsters up there for the rest of us Craigie!”
Another tribute said: “Best in the business and more importantly a great guy. It was a pleasure knowing you.”
An islander described Mr Craigie as “a lovely guy – really funny from a lovely family”, adding: “Such a huge loss for his family and for the island. It’s a sad day.”
Western Isles MSP Donald MacKinnon said: “My thoughts are with all the families and friends affected by the tragic sinking of the Kilda off the coast of Lewis on Tuesday.”
He praised the emergency services who had worked in “brutal conditions” and said the incident was “a devastating loss for our community” and “a heartbreaking time for our island”.
A minute’s silence was held at the Royal National Mòd in Glasgow, Scotland’s annual celebration of Gaelic culture and language. Western Isles MP Torcuil Crichton also offered his condolences to the families and to fishing communities that had suffered losses over the years.
Kenneth Macleod, convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said it was “a very dark day for the communities affected by this tragedy”.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent a team to the area to conduct a preliminary assessment into the loss of the UK-registered fishing vessel Kilda near the Isle of Lewis.
