A man's body has been recovered and two other crew members are still missing after a fishing boat disappeared in the Outer Hebrides. The alarm was raised around 9.30pm on Tuesday, October 13, when emergency services were alerted to a fishing vessel with three crew on board that had failed to return to its port on the Isle of Lewis.
Police have confirmed the body of one of the men has been recovered, but formal identification has yet to take place. The next of kin of the men have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Search and rescue operation
A large search and rescue operation remains ongoing, involving a coastguard aeroplane, two coastguard helicopters, six coastguard rescue teams, two RNLI lifeboats, a local vessel and Police Scotland.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Emergency services are in attendance following a report of a missing fishing vessel and three men onboard off the coast of Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis, which was reported to police around 11.35pm on Tuesday, 13 October, 2026."
The spokesperson added: "The body of one of the men has been recovered, however formal identification is yet to take place. The next of kin of the men are aware and are being supported by officers. Extensive searches, assisted by HM Coastguard and RNLI, are ongoing."
Coastguard response
An HM Coastguard spokesperson previously said: "HM Coastguard received a report at around 21:20 yesterday (13 October) of a fishing vessel with three people on board that was overdue from Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides."
Air and marine trackers have shown the Lochinver RNLI Lifeboat and at least one coastguard aircraft carrying out a search pattern in the seas to the north of the Butt of Lewis, the Isle of Lewis's most northerly point. A post on Flightradar 24 Flight Spotters shows the all-night search action on Lewis and Harris involving HM Coastguard and others as crews search the waters above multiple areas including Port of Ness and North Tolsta.
Weather warning
The search comes amid a yellow weather warning for strong winds issued across the Scottish Highlands and Na h-Eileanan Siar, with the Met Office warning that travel disruption is likely on Wednesday. The warning will be in force from 10am until 7pm on Wednesday, affecting the Highland and Na h-Eileanan Siar local authority areas including the Western Isles, where strong winds could affect transport and services.
Forecasters expect strong south to south westerly winds to bring gusts of up to 60mph across much of the region, with exposed coastal and hilly areas likely to experience even stronger gusts throughout the day. The Met Office states: "Strong south to south westerly winds are expected during Wednesday. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected widely, with some exposed coastal and hilly locations seeing gusts of around 70 mph late morning and early afternoon. Winds ease from the west through the late afternoon and early evening."
