Specialist police dive teams are set to conduct searches for two missing men and a missing fishing boat off the coast of the Isle of Lewis early next week.
The Kilda disappeared on Tuesday somewhere near the Port of Ness off the north coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
The body of Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered from the sea at around 2.45am on Wednesday, but his crewmates Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, have yet to be located.
Search operation details
On Friday, police confirmed that Mr Murray and Mr Morrison remained unaccounted for and were being treated as missing persons. The fishing vessel the men were aboard, the Kilda, has also yet to be discovered.
On Friday, Police Scotland announced that the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) had put an exclusion zone in place for divers in an area between the Butt of Lewis and Port of Ness.
Specialist officers from Police Scotland's Dive and Marine Unit will be conducting searches in the area early next week, with extensive enquiries continuing in a bid to locate the men and the vessel.
Coastguard and RNLI response
HM Coastguard confirmed on Thursday that the response had been stood down, pending any fresh information coming to light.
The RNLI despatched its all-weather Lochinver lifeboat at 9.42pm on Tuesday after the boat failed to return, and Police Scotland were notified of its disappearance at 11.35pm.
HM Coastguard has confirmed that an aircraft, two helicopters, six rescue teams and a local vessel were all involved in the search operation. Police understand the Kilda departed the Brevaig area in the west of the island at approximately 7.30am on Tuesday, before heading to the Port of Ness area to carry out work.
Police appeal to the public
"Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic incident," Chief Inspector Ross McCartney, area commander for the Western Isles, said.
"We have a team of officers dedicated to this operation who are carrying out extensive work to trace the two men who remain unaccounted for."
He added: "We will also be utilising officers from our Dive and Marine Unit early next week. We would continue to ask that the privacy of the families are respected at this difficult time."
Mr McCartney said MAIB have put an exclusion zone in place for divers in the area where searches have been carried out, but he said vessels can still operate in this area.
"We know the local community are keen to help in any way they can," Mr McCartney said.
"However, we 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. Instead, if you believe you may have any information which could assist emergency services then please call 101 quoting reference 3575 of 13 October."
He confirmed a police presence would remain in the Port of Ness area.
